Ohitashi (Japanese Spinach in Dashi)
Local name: ほうれん草のおひたし
In short: Blanched spinach bundled and soaked in a light dashi and soy sauce, topped with bonito flakes, a quick, refreshing Japanese side dish. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 45 kcal
One of the most common small dishes on a Japanese table is ohitashi: blanched greens soaked in seasoned dashi. Spinach is the usual choice. It is boiled briefly to keep its bright color, chilled in water, squeezed into a tight log and cut into neat lengths, then left in a mix of dashi and soy sauce. It is eaten cold or at room temperature and needs almost no effort, which is why it appears in so many home meals.
Instructions
- Boil the mirin in a small pan for 30 seconds, then add the dashi and soy sauce and bring just to a boil. Pour into a shallow dish and let cool.
- Wash the spinach well in several changes of water, since the roots hold grit. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the salt. Hold the spinach by the leaves and push the stems in first for 30 seconds, then submerge the leaves for another 30 seconds.
- Lift the spinach into the ice water to stop the cooking and fix the color. Drain, then squeeze gently into a tight bundle to remove as much water as possible.
- Line the stems up and cut the bundle into 4 cm (1 1/2 in) lengths. Squeeze lightly once more and fluff the pieces apart.
- Arrange the spinach in the dish with the sauce and let it sit for 15 minutes. Lift it out, squeeze lightly, and pile in small mounds on plates. Top with bonito flakes and sesame seeds.
Tips
- Squeezing out the water is the key step. Wet spinach waters down the sauce and tastes flat, so press firmly but gently with both hands.
- Komatsuna, chrysanthemum leaves, green beans, broccoli and asparagus can all be treated the same way. Adjust the boiling time to the thickness.
Questions and answers
Can I make ohitashi ahead?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 2 days, soaking in the sauce. Squeeze it lightly and add the bonito flakes only when serving, so they stay light and fluffy.
Is ohitashi vegan?
Not with bonito dashi and bonito flakes. For a vegan version, use kombu dashi and top the spinach with sesame seeds or shredded nori.
How is ohitashi different from goma-ae?
Ohitashi is dressed in a thin, clear dashi sauce, while goma-ae is coated in a thick sesame dressing. Both use blanched vegetables as the base.
How long does it take to make Ohitashi (Japanese Spinach in Dashi)?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ohitashi (Japanese Spinach in Dashi)?
About 45 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 45 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
