Kombu Dashi (Vegan Dashi)
User Reviews
4.4
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
1 batch
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Calories
2 kcal
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
Japanese
Kombu Dashi (Vegan Dashi)
Description
Kombu Dashi involves steeping a 10-gram piece of dried kelp in water to draw out its savory essence. The broth can be prepared by cold brewing: soaking the kombu in water at room temperature for several hours or overnight in the fridge, which results in a gentle extraction of flavor. Alternatively, it can be made on the stovetop by soaking the kombu, then slowly heating the water to just below a simmer, careful not to boil, to maximize flavor release without bitterness.
The resulting clear broth captures the mild umami and natural saltiness of kombu, making it an excellent base for soups, sauces, or simmered dishes that require a vegan or vegetarian option. The kombu can be removed after steeping, and the dashi stored refrigerated for a few days or frozen for longer preservation.
Ingredients
- 1 piece kombu 10 g; 4 x 4 inches, 10 x 10 cm per piece, dried kelp
- 4 cups water
Instructions
Method 1: Cold Brew Kombu Dashi (Mizudashi)
- Put 4 cups water and the kombu in a large bottle.
- Put the cap on and let it steep on the counter for 2–3 hours in the summertime and 4–5 hours in the wintertime. You can also cold brew the Kombu Dashi overnight in the refrigerator.
- Remove the kombu from the bottle and reserve the spent kombu (see below). The Kombu Dashi is now ready to use. If you are not using the dashi right away, save it in a bottle and keep in the refrigerator for 4–5 days or in the freezer for 2 weeks. I recommend using it sooner for the best flavor.
Method 2: Kombu Dashi on the Stovetop (Nidashi)
- Put the kombu and water in a medium pot. If you have time, soak for 3 hours or up to a half day. The kombu’s flavor comes out naturally from soaking in water.
- Turn on the heat to medium low and slowly bring to a bare simmer, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, clean the dashi by skimming the foam from the surface with a fine-mesh skimmer.
- Just before the dashi starts boiling, remove the kombu from the pot (see below for what to do with it). If you leave the kombu in the pot, the dashi will become slimy and bitter.
- Now the Kombu Dashi is ready to use.
To Store
- If you are not using the dashi right away, keep it in a bottle or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 4–5 days or in the freezer for 2 weeks. I recommend using it sooner for the best flavor.
What to do with the spent kombu?
- Save the spent kombu in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
- With the spent kombu, you can make Simmered Kombu (Kombu Tsukudani).
- You can also make Homemade Furikake (Rice Seasoning).
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1batch
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1batch | |
| Calories | 2kcal | 0% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Sodium | 39mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 32mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Calcium | 138mg | 14% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
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