Ode to my indispensable Japanese kitchen appliance: the Benriner (BenriNaa - 便利なー! So Useful!) mandolin.

When it comes to kitchen gadgets, few can compare to my trusty Benriner mandolin. Last week, I wrote about delightfully simple Japanese brand names, such as “bubble soap soap” and “clean hands soap.” I realized I forgot to mention the one piece of equipment I can no longer live without: my mandolin!

Just like the soap names, this mandolin’s name is perfect: it’s super useful (便利なー!) for slicing thinly and evenly fast. It’s also really easy to clean just rinse off with a bit of soap and water and you’re good to go.

Initially, I was skeptical about its usefulness and a bit intimidated by it. After all, I once saw a British celebrity chef slice off a part of his finger on a TV show, and being the clumsy type, I wasn’t confident in my ability to use it safely.

However, since I started making tsukemono, the Benriner has been a godsend. It features three different serrated blade sizes, and you can adjust the body to slice thinner or thicker, making it incredibly versatile.

Now that I’ve gotten used to it, it saves me a lot of time and allows me to slice much thinner than I can with a kitchen knife.

If you enjoy slicing and dicing Japanese-style, I highly recommend getting a Benriner (you can find them on Amazon!). Just remember to be careful with your fingers—use the plastic grip or consider wearing a protective glove!

What’s your favorite kitchen tool?