Perilla

Perilla is the herb derived from the leaves of Perilla frutescens, a fast-growing annual in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Cultivated across East and Southeast Asia, its flavor is hard to pin down because it’s so unique, but it’s somewhere in the realm of mint, basil, and anise. Perilla is really a family of regional varieties rather than a single plant: Japanese shiso, Korean kkaennip, and Vietnamese tía tô each look and taste distinct. Across all of them, the leaves are eaten fresh as a wrap or garnish.