Can Babies Eat Perilla Leaf? A Fragrant Green
Perilla leaf, also called shiso or kkaennip, is a fragrant herb babies can try from around 6 months. Wash it well and chop it finely.
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- When to introduce
- Around 6 months
- Common allergen?
- No (not sesame, despite the name)
- Texture
- Washed and finely chopped
- Key nutrients
- Vitamin A, K, minerals
Yes, babies can try perilla leaf from around 6 months, once they are starting solids. This fragrant leaf is a staple across Korea (where it is called kkaennip) and Japan (where the shiso variety brightens sushi and salads). One name to clear up right away: it is sometimes labeled "sesame leaf," but perilla is not related to sesame and is not a sesame allergen. Wash it well and chop it finely, and it makes a lovely mild flavor for a new eater.
Prep School: how to prepare perilla leaf for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées
🍴 Baby-led weaning
🥄 Purées
Is perilla leaf safe? Choking & prep
Leafy greens can be stringy, and stringy pieces are a choking risk, so chop perilla finely, or wilt it, before serving to a baby. Wash the leaves well to remove any grit or residue. Despite the "sesame leaf" name, perilla is not sesame and is not a sesame allergen, though as with any new food, offer it on its own at first and watch how your baby responds. Skip added salt, since babies need very little, and keep any salty dishes it comes in (like some Korean side dishes) out of your baby's portion. Stay close and supervise while your baby eats.
Sharing a little perilla leaf with your baby? Log the try with the date and tag it yummy, meh, or yucky to remember how that fragrant new flavor landed.
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Nutrition
Perilla leaf is used mostly as a fragrant herb, so it shows up in small amounts rather than as a big serving, and it is not a food your baby relies on for calories. Like other dark leafy greens, it carries vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin K along with some minerals. Its main gift for a new eater is flavor: an aromatic, slightly minty and anise-like taste that helps broaden your baby's palate early. A little healthy fat alongside helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins that leafy greens carry.
Goes well with
Rice · Soft tofu · Scrambled egg · Avocado · Cucumber · White beans
Storage & freezing
Keep fresh perilla leaves in the fridge, ideally wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel in a container, and use them within a few days. Refrigerate any cooked dish containing perilla in a sealed container and use within about 3 days.
More vegetables to explore
Related reading
- Best first vegetables for babies →
- How to cut food to prevent choking →
- Signs your baby is ready for solids →
- Baby-led weaning vs. purées →
Common questions
When can babies eat perilla leaf?
Around 6 months, once your baby is starting solids. Wash it well and chop it finely, or wilt it, so the leaf is soft and easy to manage as a mild flavoring.
Is perilla leaf the same as sesame? Is it an allergen?
No. Perilla is sometimes labeled 'sesame leaf,' but it is a completely different plant and is not related to sesame. It is not a sesame allergen and is not a common allergen. As with any new food, introduce it on its own and watch your baby's response.
What is perilla leaf called in Korean and Japanese cooking?
In Korea it is called kkaennip and is used in wraps, side dishes, and stews. In Japan the shiso variety flavors sushi, salads, and pickles. They are the same broad family of aromatic perilla leaves.
Is perilla leaf a choking hazard for babies?
Leafy greens can be stringy, which is a choking risk. Chopping perilla finely, or wilting it, before serving makes it much easier and safer for a new eater to handle.
Do I need to cook perilla leaf for my baby?
You do not have to, but wilting it briefly or chopping it very finely softens the leaf and makes it easier to manage. Raw finely chopped perilla is fine once your baby handles textures well.
Will perilla taste too strong for my baby?
It has a distinctive aromatic, minty, anise-like flavor. That boldness is actually a nice early taste to introduce while your baby is open to new flavors. Start with a small amount folded into a familiar food.
Can I give my baby perilla leaf from Korean side dishes?
Pickled or marinated kkaennip side dishes are usually salty, and babies need very little salt, so keep those out of your baby's portion. Instead, use a plain washed, finely chopped leaf as a mild flavoring.
How much perilla leaf can my baby have?
Perilla is a fragrant herb, so a small amount as a flavoring is plenty. There is no need to serve a big pile of leaves; a little finely chopped into a familiar food is a good way to share it.
How do I wash perilla leaf for a baby?
Rinse the leaves well under running water to remove any grit or residue, and pat them dry. Then chop finely or wilt before serving to your baby.
Further reading
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
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Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. Next review January 2027. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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