Shiso 紫蘇

Shiso, known in English as perilla or beefsteak plant, is a herb that is often used to flavour and garnish Japanese dishes. It comes in two varieties: a purple-leaved variety called akajiso (red shiso) which is the ingredient that makes umeboshi (pickled plums) appear red; and a green-leaved variety called aoshiso (green shiso) which is often used as a topping for noodles or as a garnish.