Wakame

This dark green seaweed with its light 'ocean' flavour is one of the most popular seaweeds in Japan. It is available in both dry and fresh forms and is most commonly used in soups and salads. The dried product greatly expands when it's reconstituted either by soaking in water for a few minutes or adding directly to a soup, so you often find that you need far less than you originally thought. Since wakame has no calories, it is an ideal ingredient for those who want to control their weight and is allegedly good for treating arteriosclerosis, asthma, sinusitis, goitre, high blood pressure and hair loss.