Toasted Sesame Oil

Toasted sesame oil is a dark amber, aromatic oil pressed from roasted sesame seeds. It has a deep, nutty aroma and concentrated flavor, so cooks use it in small amounts to finish dishes, dress salads, and build dipping sauces. Its low smoke point makes it unsuitable for high-heat frying, but it shines in marinades, noodles, and stir-fries; most retail bottles are small to preserve freshness.

Originating in East Asia, toasted sesame oil is central to Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cooking and spread throughout other Asian cuisines. It is made by pressing oil from seeds that are roasted before extraction, a process that intensifies color and aroma; production now occurs across Asia and beyond.