Japanese Sesame Spinach – Quick and Healthy Side
Japanese Spinach Salad (Goma-ae) features tender blanched spinach tossed in a sweet-savory sesame dressing. It’s an elegant, healthy side dish perfect for bento boxes or light meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings as a side dish 1x
Ingredients
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1 bunch fresh spinach (about 10 oz)
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2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 teaspoon sugar
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Optional: 1 teaspoon mirin or 1/2 tsp dashi powder
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Salt (for blanching water)
Instructions
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Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch spinach for 30–45 seconds, then transfer to ice water. Squeeze dry and cut into 2-inch sections.
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Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes until golden. Grind coarsely in a mortar and pestle.
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Mix ground sesame with soy sauce, sugar, and optional mirin or dashi to form a paste.
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Toss spinach with sesame dressing until evenly coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
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Use gluten-free tamari if needed.
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Can be made ahead and stored for up to 2 days in the fridge.
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Garnish with extra sesame seeds or a few drops of sesame oil.