There are only 35 calories in one pack of Woorigohyang Seasoned Seaweed. This brand is surprisingly high in fat (good fats?), though, due to the roasting oils used (3g), but low in carbohydrates (2g) and (1g) protein. It still beats a bag of chips, though, so I can't complain!
In the mean time, I have been on the hunt for good alternative roasted seaweed snacks that are readily available at Asian markets! The Woorigohyang Seasoned Seaweed comes with 10 rectangular sheets. I liked this brand, except it has a slightly stronger seaweedy aftertaste than the other brands I've tried. It's still good, though. At $2.99/9 packs, it's definitely a bargain!
One thing that I noticed on the ingredients list of both the HANASIA roasted seaweed and the Woorigohyang seasoned seaweed was "perilla oil." I had never heard of perilla oil before and so I had to look up this mysterious new oil. According to Wikipedia, perilla oil is a very rich source of omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid:
"Perilla oil is obtained from the seeds of perennial herbs of the genus Perilla, usually Perilla frutescens. The seeds contain 35 to 45 percent oil which is obtained by pressing. Perilla oil is used along with synthetic resins in the production of varnishes. Perilla oil dries in less time than linseed oil and on drying forms a film that is harder and yellows more than that formed by linseed oil. The paint and varnish industry accounts for the largest usage. Perilla oil also is important in the manufacture of printing inks and linoleum, and in more ancient times was a critical component in creating durable earthen floors.
In parts of Asia, perilla oil is used as an edible oil that is valued more for its medicinal benefit than its flavor. Perilla oil is a very rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). About 50 to 60% of the oil consists of ALA.
In Korea, perilla is mainly cultivated in Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, and Jeolla Province, so the locals there consume perilla oil a lot. In Korean cuisine, it is used for marinating namul (seasoned vegetable dish), coating grilled gim (Korean laver), or pan-frying jeon (pancake-like dish),[1] where it is called deul gireum (들기름) or beopyu (법유, 法油) in Korean.[2] In North Korea, it is called deulkkae gireum (들깨기름)."
I've had to look for alternative brands to Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed because they have been sold out of it for weeks and have not restocked their shelves! I've heard they are having a warehouse issue, so they don't know when they will be getting the roasted seaweed back in the stores. Even when they do have this product in stock, it mysteriously disappears off the shelves in a blink of an eye--it's a highly coveted product!
In the mean time, I have been on the hunt for good alternative roasted seaweed snacks that are readily available at Asian markets! The Woorigohyang Seasoned Seaweed comes with 10 rectangular sheets. I liked this brand, except it has a slightly stronger seaweedy aftertaste than the other brands I've tried. It's still good, though. At $2.99/9 packs, it's definitely a bargain!
One interesting thing I have learned through this new seaweed addiction is that seaweed is referred to "laver" on these packages, either in the ingredients list or on the product description.
At last, I found another great brand of seaweed, HANASIA Korean roasted seaweed. I found this at Ranch 99 Market in a three pack for $1.59. This one seems to be my alternate favorite seaweed snack. The HANASIA roasted seaweed only has 10 calories per pack and only 0.8g of fat, 1g carbohydrate and 1g of protein per serving. I don't know if the slight difference in taste and nutritional content has to do with the fact that HANASIA seaweed says "Roasted Seaweed" vs. "Seasoned Seaweed" on the Woorigohyang Seaweed. In any case, both Korean seaweeds have been great substitutes to the otherwise unavailable Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed.
BREAKING NEWS: I just found HANASIA Korean Roasted Seaweed at a Lucky Supermarket of all places! It was in the Asian food aisle! Someone must have made a special request to stock this item at Lucky, because I have never seen it there before! At Lucky, you get a three pack of HANASIA Korean Roasted Seaweed for $1.49! Wow, that saves me a trip to Ranch 99 and Chinatown! The packaging is a little different from the above pictured seaweed in purple, though. It looks like this:
BREAKING NEWS: I just found HANASIA Korean Roasted Seaweed at a Lucky Supermarket of all places! It was in the Asian food aisle! Someone must have made a special request to stock this item at Lucky, because I have never seen it there before! At Lucky, you get a three pack of HANASIA Korean Roasted Seaweed for $1.49! Wow, that saves me a trip to Ranch 99 and Chinatown! The packaging is a little different from the above pictured seaweed in purple, though. It looks like this:
"Perilla oil is obtained from the seeds of perennial herbs of the genus Perilla, usually Perilla frutescens. The seeds contain 35 to 45 percent oil which is obtained by pressing. Perilla oil is used along with synthetic resins in the production of varnishes. Perilla oil dries in less time than linseed oil and on drying forms a film that is harder and yellows more than that formed by linseed oil. The paint and varnish industry accounts for the largest usage. Perilla oil also is important in the manufacture of printing inks and linoleum, and in more ancient times was a critical component in creating durable earthen floors.
In parts of Asia, perilla oil is used as an edible oil that is valued more for its medicinal benefit than its flavor. Perilla oil is a very rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). About 50 to 60% of the oil consists of ALA.
In Korea, perilla is mainly cultivated in Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, and Jeolla Province, so the locals there consume perilla oil a lot. In Korean cuisine, it is used for marinating namul (seasoned vegetable dish), coating grilled gim (Korean laver), or pan-frying jeon (pancake-like dish),[1] where it is called deul gireum (들기름) or beopyu (법유, 法油) in Korean.[2] In North Korea, it is called deulkkae gireum (들깨기름)."
Isn't this a pretty plant? Perilla frutescens, var. japonica
Apparently, some people take perilla oil softgels for health benefits! I guess this is another great reason to enjoy Korean roasted seaweed--it has perilla oil!
(NOTE: Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed does not list perilla oil in the ingredients, even though it is a product of Korea; only certain Korean brands use perilla oil.)
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Di loves this stuff! She eats it all the time and has the bad breath to prove it, ha ha :) I am going to forward this to her... thanks!
ReplyDeletetheres also a some good seaweed at the costco in san leandro which comes with 400 rectangular strips of roasted seaweed for about 6 dollars
ReplyDeleteThanks, Osvaldo, for your comment! Yes, I've bought those seaweed strips, too! I like them a lot too. They have a slightly different flavor since it's a Japanese nori (seaweed).
ReplyDeleteHave you tried the 27-pack cases that are now available at Costco? Price is 9.59. 30 calories, 1.6g fat for a 5g (0.18oz) serving.
ReplyDeleteHi rollercoasterfan1,
ReplyDeleteYes! I have tried the Costco seaweed, though it is not available at all Costcos unfortunatley. We are lucky that the Bay area allows our Costco to carry it (try finding it in Utah! No such luck!). I love the convenience of the small Costco packs and the price can't be beat! Thank you for your comment, I am glad you like roasted seawed too! Thanks for stopping by my blog!