shiso leaves
Aromatic leaves of a Japanese herb in the mint family, fresh and spicy, somewhere between mint, basil and anise.
Shiso is a species of perilla in the mint family whose serrated leaves are used in Japan as a fresh herb, usually the green variety, less often the red one, which is mainly used for colouring and pickling. Its flavour is strong and distinctive: cool like mint, spicy like basil, with hints of anise, cumin and citrus. Because the aroma fades quickly with heat and the leaves wilt fast, shiso is mostly used raw, cut into fine strips or as a whole leaf for wrapping and garnishing. Fresh leaves can be found in well-stocked Asian shops, especially Japanese and Korean ones, often in small packs in the chilled section. The plant is also easy to grow from seed in a pot or garden, and seeds are available by mail order.
Substitute:
There is no true substitute, because the aroma is unique. A mix of fresh mint and basil captures the freshness but not the spicy, anise-like note; Korean perilla leaves come closer but taste coarser and more sesame-like, and are tougher in texture.