Gomae Japanese Style Spinach Salad

Elevate your side dish game with this refreshing and savory Gomae Japanese-Style Spinach Salad. Combining tender, blanched spinach with a richly nutty sesame dressing, this recipe is a celebration of simplicity and bold flavors. Toasted white sesame seeds are ground to release their aromatic oils, then blended with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin for a sweet and savory glaze that clings perfectly to the vibrant greens. Ready in just 15 minutes, this authentic Japanese side dish is perfect for pairing with sushi, grilled fish, or your favorite rice bowl. Packed with nutrients and bursting with umami, this make-ahead salad is as healthy as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams Fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons White sesame seeds
• 1.5 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Mirin

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to boil.

Step 2

Wash the spinach thoroughly and trim any tough stems if necessary.

Step 3

Blanch the spinach in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, or until just wilted.

Step 4

Remove the spinach from the boiling water and immediately transfer it into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and retain its vibrant green color.

Step 5

Drain the spinach thoroughly, gently squeezing out any excess water, then chop into 2-3 inch pieces and set aside.

Step 6

Toast the white sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 7

Using a mortar and pestle, grind the toasted sesame seeds into a coarse powder. Alternatively, you can grind them in a spice grinder, but leave some texture for best results.

Step 8

In a small mixing bowl, combine the ground sesame seeds, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Stir well to create the sesame dressing.

Step 9

In a large bowl, mix the chopped spinach with the sesame dressing until evenly coated.

Step 10

Divide the dressed spinach onto serving plates or bowls. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of whole sesame seeds for added texture and presentation.

Step 11

Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(369.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	279.1

Total Fat 9.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1095.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 36.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.5g	0%
Total Sugars 20.7g
Protein 12.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 464.8mg	0%
Iron 12.5mg	0%
Potassium 178.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.5%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 52.7%