4.9 from 174 votes
Kombu Tsukudani (Simmered Kombu)
Wondering what to do with leftover kombu from making Japanese soup stock (dashi)? Make delicious simmered Kombu Tsukudani cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. My tender seasoned kelp recipe is an easy and tasty side dish for your plain steamed rice!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 1 batch
Calories: 153 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
- 2 oz used kombu (kelp) (you can use up to 4 oz (113 g); I used spent Hidaka kombu that‘s tender and easy to cook; Ma kombu and Rishiri kombu are thick and hard to cook; read about the different types of kombu)
- ½ tsp sesame seeds
For the Seasonings
- 1 dried red chili pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp mirin
- 1 Tbsp sake
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (or more, if needed)
- 2 tsp sugar (or add more for a sweeter taste)
- ½ tsp katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) (optional; skip for vegan/vegetarian)
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Cut 2 oz used kombu (kelp) into thin strips.
- Remove the seeds from 1 dried red chili pepper and cut it into thin rounds.
- Transfer the sliced kombu to a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup water, 1 Tbsp sake, and 1 Tbsp mirin.
- Add 1 tsp rice vinegar (unseasoned), 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, and ½ tsp katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes).
- Add the red chili pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the liquid is almost evaporated, about 20–25 minutes. If the kombu is still not tender, add water and continue to cook. Check the taste and add more sugar and/or soy sauce, to your liking.
- Sprinkle ½ tsp sesame seeds on top. It‘s ready to serve.
Cup of Yum
To Store
- Keep the Tsukudani in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1jar
Calories
153kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
16g
(5%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Sodium
2075mg
(86%)
Potassium
68mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
198IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
140mg
(14%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1batch
Amount Per Serving
Calories 153
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1jar | |
| Calories | 153kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 2075mg | 86% |
| Potassium | 68mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 198IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 140mg | 14% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.