The suribachi is a Japanese mortar, and is to be used with a pestle called a "surikogi". In Japanese cooking, the suribachi is used to crush sesame seeds as well as for various pastes. You'll find that the suribachi is an essential tool for preparation of many common Japanese sauces, dressings, and pastes. It can also be used to efficiently grind fresh or dry herbs and spices, and is an invaluable tool for any kitchen. The suribachi mortar is an earthenware bowl, glazed on the outside with a capacity of approximately 10 oz. The inside of the bowl has a ridged pattern (kushi-no-me) to facilitate grinding.
