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Top 7 Best Sesame Oils

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Written by Andrew Le, MD.
Medically reviewed by
Last updated July 29, 2024

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Sesame oil is widely used in the Asian countries’ dishes such as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. This specific oil is sesame oil obtained from sesame seeds and has a rich, nutty taste and smell to it. However, in addition to being used in cooking, sesame oil is also recognized as having certain health advantages because of the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

We invested time to find out and compare different brands of sesame oil on the market. In the following sections, we will introduce our top recommended toasted and untoasted sesame oils as well as their features.

Top 3 Best Sesame Oils

  1. La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil
  2. Kadoya Sesame Oil
  3. Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil Fluid Ounce

Below are the top sesame oils on Amazon after we have initially tested various sesame oils on the market. Sesame oil can be differentiated into several categories according to its applications; thus, no matter being a cook in a restaurant or a simple homemaker, you will surely be able to find the right one according to your preferences from the list.

La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil

The Editor's Choice

La Tourangelle’s Toasted Sesame Oil brings out the best in any dish it is added to, with its delicious nutty taste and aroma. Made with a lot of attention to its specifics and cooked in compliance with the rules of classical Asian cookery, it enriches simple stir-fry, salads and marinades.

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La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil is perfect for anyone who wants to try genuine Asian taste in his meals: you should definitely buy it.

Pros

  • Gives dishes a unique, toasty taste.
  • Can be incorporated in a number of dishes.
  • Good quality oil at a cheap price.

Cons

  • Some users find the flavor overwhelming for their taste
  • Not recommended to those with a sesame allergy

We tried for the first time La Tourangelle Toasted Sesame Oil in a stir-fry recipe; we are still amazed by the intense flavor that it gave to the dish. The toasty notes were quite bright and, at the same time, not too assertive; this made it complement the rest of the ingredients.

We also cannot fail to commend this oil for its versatility – you can use it to season your meals in marinades, and vinaigrettes to noodle dishes among others. As for the quality of the product, which is, in this case, the oil, the given price is quite affordable.

However, it is noteworthy to mention that they should consider refining the spicy kick or at least include this information on the label, because some people would probably prefer mild flavor to the one that literally burns their tongue. Sesame seed is used in this product thus those with a sesame allergy should avoid this product.

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We highly therefore recommend Kadoya Sesame Oil for any chef or food enthusiast looking for the some of the finest oil to add onto his or her store.

Pros

  • Product of Japan
  • It can be used for seasoning or dressing
  • Great package

Cons

  • Not recommended to those with a sesame allergy
  • It is a bit expensive

The Kadoya Sesame Oil is very essential to be in our list of kitchen essentials. We prefer to use it as a spice or an addition to dressing on salads, stir-fry dishes and even as a marinade. It is of Japanese make, so one can safely assume that they are getting an original product of exceptional quality. The controlling variable for this experiment is the package weight of 1. These times 5 Pounds makes it proper for our requirements and the shapes it comes in makes it easy to store in our pantry.

Keep in mind that this oil is produced sesame seed, so it can be not safe for the individuals with sesame allergies. More so, some people may also be put off by the rather strong taste of the food.

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If you are looking for a good brand sesame oil, Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil Fluid Ounce is one of the best in the market. Ideal for marinating or garnishing your foods, it has a rich, creamy taste perfect for turning up the flavor on your meals.

Pros

  • Rich and smooth taste
  • Made in Japan
  • You can use it for seasoning or dressing

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive
  • Some users may prefer a stronger sesame flavor

Cooking with Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil Fluid Ounce is something that we greatly enjoy doing. It has a very light nutty taste which is not strong, hence ideal for cooking and preparing different meals. We’ve incorporated it in stir-frys, salad dressings, marinades, you name it. Indeed, it is a rather country, universal oil that can be consumed in various forms and preparations.

What we like about this product is that is manufactured in Japan. Packed with nutrients and known for the quality of food products that Japan supplies to the global market, this sesame oil is one of the best. The product is processed from properly chosen sesame seeds and has an exceptionally smooth and awesome taste that cannot even be compared with any other food item.

However, the Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil Fluid Ounce is relatively expensive compared to other brands in the market. Besides, from the quality of the oil one is able to taste the difference and even its texture. The applicator is also very small, so though you only get a tiny amount, it will definitely last quite some time considering you only use a little bit at a time.

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We recommend Eden Organic Black Sesame Oil because it is unrefined extra virgin organic black sesame oil with sweet taste of sesame

Pros

  • Cold pressed, and unrefined
  • It is excellent for use as a cooking oil in all categories of cooking and kinds of food.
  • Sesame oil with sesamol and sesamin as antioxidants, it is very stable and has a long shelf life among vegetable oil

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive

Eden Organic Black Sesame Oil is a fine-tasting, healthy and very versatile oil that can be used for all your sautéing and stir-frying needs, sprinkle on salads or used in dressings and sauces. Antioxidants make it to be very stable and also long lasting vegetable oil. It is cold pressed and unrefined which means that the nutlets together with its nutrients, aroma and taste are well retained.

So if you are searching for a quality sesame oil that can be used for cheers and different occasions and it has sweet taste as it is from sesame then Eden Organic Black Sesame Oil is your best bet.

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Dynasty Sesame Oil is ideal for all cooking processes hence it is worthy to buy it for all your requirements.

Pros

  • Made in Japan
  • Great nutty flavor
  • Ideal for seasoning and salad dressings

Cons

  • It is a bit expensive
  • Some users may not like the nutty flavor

Dynasty sesame oil is the best quality and is normally used when preparing foods with nutty tastes. This casserole we can also use as seasoning or dressing for our salads. This is an original product that is made in Japan, which means that the oil being used is also original.

However, one downside that we would like to point out is that the price for this product might be slightly on the high side for some; nevertheless, we trust that quality does indeed come with the price. Moreover, another gothic aspect might be the unpleasant taste of the natural nutty flavor from the oil.

Also, the user may find it challenging to pour the oil from the bottle; however, this can easily be solved by decanting the oil to another receptacle.

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When it comes to a quality and flavorful sesame oil you can try Kikkoman 100% Pure Sesame Oil.

Pros

  • All natural 100% toasted sesame seeds to give this product its true to life taste.
  • Enhances the dressings, marinades, dips and sauces to give it a touch of sweet flavor and takes the breads and pastries to a nutty and rich flavor sphere.
  • Comes in a 5 fl oz stylish container that is easy to use and perfect for storing.

Cons

  • Some users may have issues with the bottle when pouring out oil.
  • It is a bit expensive.

We have recently used Kikkoman 100% Pure Sesame Oil in several of the recipes and it performed well and offered the right taste. In our rush to prepare a dipping paste or to stir fry, we used the oil which gave such a deliciously different dimension to the dish – sweet and a bit nutty.

This is something that we liked about this sesame oil, we found that it is real toasted sesame oil with no blends added. It gives it a more natural taste than that of other cooking oils that are flavored or comes with some type of additives.

Besides, we liked the ease of using this product. The 5 fl oz bottle is perfect for home chefs to use in their kitchen and the flap of the cap opens easily and closes efficiently. The only drawback it has is that the bottle may be somewhat tricky to pour and thereby, a little messy; hence the need to be careful when handling it.

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If you are looking for great quality and moisturizing oil to use on your body and skin, we highly suggest getting the Banyan Botanicals Refined Sesame Oil.

Pros

  • Strengthens and moisturizes tissues; tones muscles; has a calming effect on the nervous system.
  • Subtler smell compared to that of unrefined sesame oil.
  • You can use it in massaging, skin moistening, oil pulling, and hair regrowing.

Cons

  • Some users may prefer a stronger scent
  • Not recommended to those with sesame allergies

We have used Banyan Botanicals Refined Sesame Oil for the different purposes and it has not let us down. Within the context of a massage oil, it gives a mild, warming effect and it effectively penetrates deeply into the body muscles making them relax and regain their strength at the same time. Another aspect that we also enjoy is applying it as a skin moisturizer since it penetrates fast, and skin becomes soft.

One of the main benefits is in the refinement process, where all the solid components are filtered out, and therefore the final oil obtained has a less intense, often even softer smell, better suited for some users, it is worth noting. We understand that it is such a universal substance that one can use it for other things such as oil pulling and stimulating hair growth.

The product is prepared from the certified organic herbs sourced through USDA certified fair trade shipments. It is also third party certified to give an assurance of quality and safety of the products.

Buying Guide

1. Type of Sesame Oil

There are two main types of sesame oil: toasted, and untoasted. Toasted sesame oil has harsh smell and color while untoasted sesame oil is light in color and taste softer than toasted one. You should then decide the type of sesame oil to use depending on your intended use of the oil.

2. Quality

The type of sesame oil that should be used should be the best quality, natural and does not contain any preservatives. Then, ensure that it is made from 100% sesame seeds and process used was cold press to maintain the qualities of the product.

3. Packaging

Sesame oil should be kept in a cool dry place with the lid tightly closed to avoid spoiling it. Select a product that is bottled in a dark glass bottle or the metal container which would properly protect it from light and air.

4. Price

Even though it is not always true that the higher the price, the better the quality, one should not neglect the price aspect while selecting sesame oil. Inexpensive products might also have poor quality ingredients or ingredients that may be hazardous to human health while expensive products could actually be expensive for that quality.

5. Intended Use

Consider what you will be using the sesame oil for and the quality you need for the particular use. Sometimes it is used for cooking or frying, in which case you should select the item with a high smoke point. If you are to use it in dressings or marinades, then, it is best to find a product without such a strong taste.

Frequently Asked Question

How do I choose the best sesame oil?

When selecting sesame oil, it is recommended that one selects brands that use quality sesame seeds and manufactures the oil through the right process. Read the label to see if the sesame oil used is toasted or untoasted, where it was brewed and when it expired. Pick a brand that you would like to use and one that fits your pocket.

How can you tell good quality sesame oil?

Good quality sesame oil should be fine and must have a subtle, agreeably nutty fragrance and should be lightly colored, which must be clear and golden. Depending on the type of meal you are preparing, it should not have a foul stench or a smell that is unpleasant to the taste buds.

Does sesame oil quality matter?

Yes, sesame oil quality does matter when it comes to preparing meals for the family. It has been found the high-quality sesame oil contains more nutrients and better in flavor than the lower quality one. If sesame oil used is of substandard quality then it is bound to contain impurities, and its taste will not be pleasant, to say the least it may even be rancid.

What are the benefits of using sesame oil for hair and skin?

Sesame oil contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help to nourish as well as protect the hair and skin. They can help in skin hydrating, skin inflammation, and elasticity of the skin. Hair oiling can also initiate hair growth, decrease the instances of dandruff, and even control hair loss.

Which is better: toasted or untoasted sesame oil?

Toasted sesame oil has a far more intense and a nuttier taste so it can be used in food preparation generally as a seasoning. Sesame oil that has not been toasted is less flavorful as compared to the toasted one and can be used for cooking as well as frying. Although, both the toasty and the non-toasty sesame oil possess different flavors of the oil they contain, one can use whichever they desire.

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Jeff brings to Buoy over 20 years of clinical experience as a physician assistant in urgent care and internal medicine. He also has extensive experience in healthcare administration, most recently as developer and director of an urgent care center. While completing his doctorate in Health Sciences at A.T. Still University, Jeff studied population health, healthcare systems, and evidence-based medi...
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