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Can Babies Eat Perilla Seed? How to Cook and Serve

Perilla seeds, known as deulkkae in Korean cooking, are one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fats. Ground into a nutty powder or pressed into perilla oil, they add flavor and good fats to a baby's food. The whole seeds are small and hard, so serve them ground, not whole.

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When to introduce: 6 months+
Common allergen?: Not a common allergen
Texture: Finely ground powder or oil
Key nutrients: Omega-3 ALA, plant protein, magnesium

Perilla is a leafy herb in the mint family, and its seeds are a staple in Korean kitchens, where they are toasted and ground into a fragrant powder (deulkkae garu) or pressed into perilla oil (deulgireum). The flavor is nutty and herby. The ground seed is stirred into soups, porridges, and vegetable dishes, and it happens to be one of the best plant sources of omega-3s, which makes it a lovely add-in for a baby's meal.

Prep School: how to prepare perilla seed for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées

6 to 9 monthsStir a small spoonful of finely ground toasted perilla seed into rice porridge, oatmeal, or pureed vegetables. A few drops of perilla oil works too.

9 to 12 monthsMix ground perilla into soft vegetable dishes, soups, or mashed potato, or drizzle perilla oil over soft finger foods.

12 months+Use perilla powder and oil in family cooking, like Korean soups, namul, and porridges. Keep whole seeds away until your child chews well, usually around age 4.

Is perilla seed safe? Choking & prep

Whole perilla seeds are small, round, and firm, which is a choking shape, so serve them finely ground rather than whole.¹ Toasted and ground into a powder, or as perilla oil, they mix smoothly into porridge, soups, and mashed vegetables.² Perilla is not a common allergen, but it is a seed, so introduce it on its own in a small amount and watch for a reaction the first time, as you would with any new seed.¹ Perilla oil is high in omega-3 fats, which go rancid faster than other oils, so keep it fresh and use it as a finishing drizzle rather than for high-heat frying.²

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Nutrition

Perilla seeds are exceptionally high in omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which makes up a large share of perilla oil, along with plant protein, fiber, and minerals like magnesium and phosphorus.² Those omega-3 fats support brain and eye development, so ground perilla or a drizzle of perilla oil is a useful way to add good fats for babies who eat little or no fish.

Goes well with

Rice porridge · Spinach · Mashed potato · Soft tofu · Zucchini · Seaweed soup

Storage & freezing

Store toasted perilla seeds or the ground powder in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer, since the omega-3 oils turn rancid quickly at room temperature. Perilla oil should also be refrigerated after opening and used within a couple of months. Smell it before using; a sharp or paint-like odor means it has gone off. Grind small batches of seed as you need them for the freshest flavor.

More proteins to explore

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PeriwinkleNot recommended for babies

🍗

PheasantAround 6 months

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PikeBetter delayed; choose low-mercury fish

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Pike-perchBest avoided under age 3 (mercury)

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PilchardAround 6 months

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Pili nutAround 6 months

Common questions

Can babies have perilla oil?

Yes, a few drops of perilla oil stirred into porridge or drizzled over soft food is a nice way to add omega-3 fats. Use it fresh and unheated as a finishing oil, and keep it refrigerated since it goes rancid quickly.

Are perilla seeds a choking hazard?

Whole perilla seeds are small and firm, so serve them finely ground rather than whole for babies and toddlers. Ground into a powder or as oil, they are low risk.

Is perilla a common allergen?

No, perilla is not on the common allergen list, but it is a seed and allergies do occur, so offer it on its own in a small amount the first time and watch for a reaction.

What is deulkkae?

Deulkkae is the Korean word for perilla seeds. Toasted and ground into a powder called deulkkae garu, or pressed into perilla oil, it flavors soups, porridges, and vegetable dishes and is rich in omega-3s.

Sources

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Last 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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