Which ginger grater is the best?
Mihoharaya Honten is a specialist homeware store, established in 1687 in the heart of Shizuoka city.
When grating ginger, you’ll want something that is easy to use, easy to clean, and that enhances the ginger’s spiciness. The best choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, so let’s compare the different types!
In Japanese, ’grater’ is referred to as Oroshi-gane or Oroshi-ki.
Types of ginger graters
There are three main types:
① Metal graters – Traditional grating tools with sharp metal blades.
② Grinding graters – Similar to ceramic wasabi graters, these press and grind the ginger.
③ Fibre-cutting graters – These have fine blades similar to Microplanes, which slice through the fibres.
① Metal graters
This is the classic grater with sharp metal teeth (Oroshi-gane). Mihoharaya offers various options with different blade sizes and fineness.
It has sharp metal blades, giving the impression of ‘cutting through’ the ginger. If you touch it too firmly, you might hurt yourself.
② Grinding graters
These work similarly to sharkskin wasabi graters. Instead of cutting, they ‘press’ the ginger to grate it.
③ Fibre-cutting graters
It might not be the most precise way to describe it, but it gives the impression of ‘shaving’ with fine peeler-like blades.
At one point, YouTubers were recommending the ‘Microplane Zester Grater,’ and in my view, it falls into this category.
Let’s give it a try!
Now that we’ve grated the ginger, let’s take a look at the results.
① Metal graters
It's fine for grating small amounts, but it became a bit tricky when trying to grate a larger quantity.
I held the ginger in my right hand and the grater in my left, but while I thought I was only moving my right hand, my left hand ended up moving as well.
② Grinding graters
This was surprisingly easy to use! I compared ones from Kamoshika Tool Shop from Mie prefecture and Motoshige Ceramic from Shimane prefecture.
I grated along the fibres, but since it doesn’t cut through them, it gives the impression of containing long fibres.
You can even see the fibres in the photos. If you don’t like the fibres, they’re quite visible, so you could remove them with chopsticks or something similar.
↑ I think it's a good idea to place a tea towel or cloth underneath the Kamoshika Tool Shop grater when using it.
↓ The one from Motoshige Ceramic has silicone on the bottom, which makes it less slippery. It was really easy to grate with!
③ Fibre-cutting graters
I'm not sure if the expression is entirely accurate, but it gives the impression of slicing through the fibres with fine peeler-like blades.
It might have been a coincidence, but this time, there were fewer fibres produced.
↑This one can also be placed down to grate, so it seems like you could grate a larger amount in a short time.
↑The Microplane grater could also be used, but it was a bit tricky and not as easy.
Taste test – Which grater enhances spiciness?
(Personal impressions – results may vary!)
In terms of experiencing the spiciness right from the start,
1st: Metal grater
2nd: Grinding grater
3rd: Fibre-cutting grater
...was the order.
However, I didn’t take into account individual differences in the ginger or variations in taste depending on the part used.
Ease of use
If you're grating a larger amount, a design that allows you to place the grater down and grate the ginger on top feels more practical.
I found the ② Grinding grater to be easy to use.
In particular, the one from Motoshige Ceramic was easy and stress-free to use. The one from Kamoshika Tool Shop was also convenient when a tea towel or cloth was placed underneath it.
Ease of cleaning
I'll rinse it under water for about 5 seconds.
① Metal graters
After a quick rinse, a little bit of fibre remained on the blade, but over 85% of the residue seemed to wash off.
② Grinding graters
Very easy to clean — almost 100% of the ginger washed away effortlessly.
↓ This one also washed clean, with nearly 100% of the ginger removed.
③ Fibre-cutting graters
Long fibres got caught and remained on the grater. However, with this type, you can touch the blade at an angle that prevents cutting your hands, so washing it is relatively easy.
The Microplane grater collects the grated food on the underside.
↑It’s a bit hard to see, but long fibres are getting caught.
Additional tip: Scrapers
If ginger fibres get stuck in a metal grater, a small scraper (like a tiny brush) can help remove them. This is better than using chopsticks, which may damage their lacquer.
Conclusion
There are both pros and cons to each, but to give a simple answer to the question, 'Which one is best?'…
If you want instant spiciness, the metal grater type (①), which has finer blades, is recommended.
If you want to grate easily and prefer something easy to clean, the grinding type (②) is the best choice.
If you don’t like long fibres (※) and prefer to experience the spiciness later, the fibre-cutting type (③) is a good option.
※It doesn’t completely remove all the fibres.
Mihoharaya stocks all these types, but it’s always a good idea to visit a local shop and try them out for yourself.
Various recommendations can be found on Instagram and other platforms, but they often depend on the information provider’s circumstances, such as the number of people they cook for and how frequently they use the tool.
Additionally, every item has its pros and cons.
Final tip: How to make ginger spicier
Grating along the fibres increases spiciness.
If you look at a ginger root, you’ll see ridges similar to bamboo segments — these run perpendicular to the fibres.
↓ Grating across these fibres results in a milder taste.
