Kombu

In Japan, kombu is used to make over 300 products, including condiments and tees.The sea vegetable know as kombu is used to make dashi, a basic Japanese soup stock, and to flavor rice and stews. Usually sold dried, in strips, or sheets, it is dark green, almost black in color. Kombu is often called natural MSG, and is used as a flavor enhancer and food tenderizer. It is also used medicinally, especially in Japan and China.

sed to make dashi, a basic Japanese soup stock