Perilla Oil
Perilla frutescensA dark, intense, mildly nutty-herbaceous East Asian oil pressed from perilla seeds. Widely used in Korean cuisine for grilled meat and salad dressings.
What Is Perilla Oil?
Perilla oil is an oil pressed from the seeds of the perilla plant (Perilla frutescens, Korean "deulkkae"). The plant's leaves are also used as a vegetable in Korean cuisine, but this product is a separate oil obtained from the seeds.
It is dark brown-amber in color and has an intense, mildly nutty-herbal aroma. It is a popular finishing oil used in Korean and, to some extent, Japanese cuisine, similar to sesame oil but with a different aroma profile.
Nutritional Values of Perilla Oil
Like all vegetable oils, 100 g of perilla oil provides around 884 kcal of energy and is entirely fat; it has one of the highest omega-3 (ALA) ratios among vegetable oils.
How Should Perilla Oil Be Consumed?
Perilla oil, like all oils, is high in calories, so it is used in moderation in a balanced diet; due to its high omega-3 content it is especially preferred in cold applications.
This information is general; perilla oil is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Perilla Oil?
A good perilla oil is dark brown-amber in color, has a fresh-nutty-herbal smell, and comes in a dark/opaque bottle. Cloudy products or ones with a rancid smell should be avoided.
- Color should be dark brown-amber
- Smell should be fresh-nutty-herbal
- Bottle should be made of dark/opaque material that blocks light
How to Store Perilla Oil?
Perilla oil is stored in the refrigerator, in a closed bottle; due to its high omega-3 (unsaturated fat) ratio it turns rancid quickly if kept at room temperature.
Using Perilla Oil in the Kitchen
Perilla oil is most often used as a dipping sauce alongside Korean-style grilled meat (bulgogi, samgyeopsal), on bibimbap, and in namul (vegetable salad) recipes as an addition or alternative to sesame oil.
Do Perilla Oil and Sesame Oil Serve the Same Purpose?
Partly; both are finishing oils in Korean cuisine, but perilla oil has a more herbal-greenish taste while sesame oil has a more roasted-intense taste. Some recipes use both together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is perilla oil used for frying?
It is generally not recommended; due to its high omega-3 (unsaturated fat) ratio it degrades quickly at high heat, so cold or low-heat uses are preferred.
Do perilla oil and perilla leaf come from the same plant?
Yes; both come from the same plant (Perilla frutescens), but one is the leaf (used as a vegetable/herb) and the other is the seed oil; their uses differ.
Is perilla oil available in Turkey?
It is not widespread; it can be found in Asian markets selling Korean/Japanese products.