Ginger dressing is a popular condiment served alongside salads and other dishes at Japanese restaurants. It provides a tangy, sweet and spicy kick to balance the flavors of a meal. However, many wonder just how many calories are packed into the typical ginger dressing served at Japanese eateries.
This article will provide a comprehensive look at the calorie counts for ginger dressing from various popular Japanese restaurant chains. Information on the typical ingredients, serving sizes, and calorie ranges will be covered. Additionally, tips for lightening up your ginger dressing order will be provided.
Read on to learn all about how to estimate the calories in ginger dressing at Japanese restaurants in order to make informed menu decisions.
Calories in Ginger Dressing at Major Chains
Japanese restaurant chains have their own house ginger dressings that tend to have similar overall calorie contents. Here is an overview of calorie counts for the ginger dressing available at America’s top Japanese chains:
Benihana
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 fl oz | 90 |
Benihana, the hibachi steakhouse chain, offers ginger dressing containing about 90 calories per 2 fluid ounce serving. Their dressing has a creamy, orange-hued appearance.
Sakura Japan
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1.5 fl oz | 60 |
At sushi buffet chain Sakura Japan, the ginger dressing provided features around 60 calories per 1.5 ounce serving. It has a translucent orange appearance.
Ra Sushi
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 fl oz | 100 |
Contemporary sushi chain Ra Sushi offers a ginger dressing with about 100 calories in every 2 fluid ounces. It has a vibrant creamy orange color.
Kura Sushi
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1.7 fl oz | 80 |
Revolving sushi chain Kura Sushi’s ginger dressing contains approximately 80 calories per 1.7 ounce serving. It has a translucent orange-red appearance.
Sumo Sushi
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 50 |
At kaiten-style sushi restaurant Sumo Sushi, the ginger dressing has about 50 calories in each 1 ounce serving. It has a see-through orange color.
As you can see, most mainstream Japanese restaurant chains offer ginger dressings with 50-100 calories per standard serving size. The color and texture varies slightly, but the calorie differences are generally minor between popular chains.
Average Calorie Count
Based on the nutrition information above, we can determine that the average calorie count for ginger dressing at most Japanese restaurants falls around:
75 calories per 2 fluid ounces
So if you are trying to estimate the calories in a typical ginger dressing side at a Japanese restaurant, you can assume it will have about 75 calories total if the serving size is close to 2 ounces.
This provides a handy benchmark to keep in mind for counting calories and tracking your daily intake.
Main Ingredients and Nutrition Facts
To better understand the calories and nutrition profile of Japanese ginger dressings, let’s look at the key ingredients they contain:
Ginger
Fresh grated ginger root provides flavors like spicy, sweet, and tangy. Ginger adds negligible calories.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar offers a mild acidity to balance the ginger. It has about 5 calories per teaspoon.
Vegetable Oil
Oils like soybean, canola, and sesame oil contribute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They provide around 120 calories per tablespoon.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is salty with an umami richness. It contains about 10 calories per teaspoon.
Sugar
White sugar or alternatives like honey or agave nectar provide sweetness. Sugar has around 15 calories per teaspoon.
Spices and Seasonings
Ginger dressings feature spices like garlic, shallots, chili, and sesame seeds for extra flavor. These have minimal calorie contributions.
Combining the above ingredients leads to a nutrition profile like:
| Serving Size | 2 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Calories | 75 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Carbs | 3g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, the bulk of calories in ginger dressing comes from the oil content, with smaller amounts from vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Ginger Dressing Order
While ginger dressing can be part of a healthy diet, you may want to watch your serving size if counting calories. Here are some tips to lighten up your ginger dressing order:
Request Low-Cal Dressing Options
Some Japanese restaurants offer reduced calorie ginger dressings, around 35 calories per 2 oz serving. Ask your server what lower calorie dressing options they have.
Use Sparingly
A little ginger dressing goes a long way in terms of flavor. Drizzle sparingly over your salad or sushi rather than dousing.
Dip Chopsticks in Dressing
Instead of pouring dressing directly over items, just dip a corner of your chopsticks in for a light flavored touch.
Order On Side
Ask for ginger dressing on the side, which helps control how much you use compared to it coming pre-dressed on salad.
Pair with Low Cal Menu Items
Enjoy ginger dressing with lower calorie Japanese fare like sashimi, steamed edamame, or cucumber salad.
Halve the Serving
Many restaurants will provide half-portions of dressings upon request. Halve your ginger dressing serving to cut the calories.
Substitute Vinegar
Some sushi restaurants provide vinegar on the table that you can substitute for ginger dressing for a zero calorie dipping option.
With small modifications, you can still enjoy the flavor of ginger dressing from your favorite Japanese restaurant while keeping your calorie intake in check.
The Bottom Line
When dining at popular Japanese restaurant chains like Benihana, Sakura Japan, Ra Sushi, Kura Sushi, and Sumo Sushi, you can expect their ginger dressings to contain around 75 calories per average 2 ounce serving. This calorie count comes mostly from the oil content in the dressing along with smaller amounts from rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and other flavoring ingredients. If you are watching your caloric intake, be mindful of serving sizes, use sparingly, ask for light options, or utilize tricks like dipping chopsticks to keep your ginger dressing calories in moderation. With some simple adjustments, you can still savor the signature flavor ginger dressing adds to the Japanese dining experience.
