Learn what MSG is, what it tastes like, and how to use it in everyday cooking. MSG, a flavor enhancer that has been used by chefs and food manufacturers for decades, imparts dishes with a savory ...

We identify the flavor of MSG as umami, or savory. It’s one of the five elemental flavors we can detect: umami, salt, sweet, sour, and bitter.

David Chang of Momofuku, pictured here in 2009, was an early champion of MSG use in modern cooking. Bloomberg via Getty Images While the chefs charge ahead, the medical community continues to take ...

According to a 2024 report by The Ajinomoto Group, the world’s oldest and largest MSG brand, 20% of Americans avoid Chinese food because they are worried about the negative effects of MSG.

If you're looking to reduce your intake of sodium, MSG can be a great way to use less salt without leaving your food bland and underwhelming. In fact, regular table salt has 39% sodium, while MSG ...