Phakchi passion: Tokyo eatery stirs coriander craze

By Wakako Sato

TOKYO (Reuters Life!) - In Japan, a simple green herb evokes strong passions.

Coriander, also known as cilantro and most commonly sold as phakchi here, was first brought to Japan more than 700 years ago, but many Japanese hate it because of its pungent flavor and smell.

Now, a growing number of coriander fans are spreading their love for the herb by planting their own coriander, swapping coriander notes on the web, and congregating at Tokyo's first coriander restaurant,

"Paxi House Tokyo", which opened late last year, was named after the Thai name for coriander -- phakchi -- and "pax", Latin for "peace".

"Coriander is a herb loved by people who love peace," the restaurant's owner and founder Kyo Satani said.

At Paxi House, every single dish contains coriander, from appetizers to desserts such as coriander ice cream and Pacookie, a coriander-flavored cookie.

"I wanted to come here as soon as I heard that Paxi House Tokyo was opened," said 33-year-old Chie Tazaki, enjoying a plate of green spicy rice with coriander.

Coriander is believed to have been first brought to Japan in the 13th century, and has been recorded as a condiment for sushi. However, it was not commonly used until the mid-1990s, when Southeast Asian cuisine boomed in Japan.