Horenso no Ohitashi (Spinach in Dashi)
Blanched spinach pressed into neat bundles and chilled in a light dashi dressing with a scatter of sesame.
Made with Dashi stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.61 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix your ready made dashi (see the base recipe) with the mirin and tamari in a small bowl.
- 2
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and blanch the spinach for 30 seconds, until bright green and just wilted.
0 min 30 s - 3
Drain and plunge into iced water to stop the cooking, then squeeze firmly with your hands to remove as much water as possible.
- 4
Shape into 4 neat bundles and cut each into 3 cm lengths.
- 5
Arrange in small bowls and pour over the dashi mixture.
- 6
Drizzle with the sesame oil and scatter with the sesame seeds. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Tips
- Squeeze the spinach really well. Waterlogged leaves water down the dashi.
- Do not overcook the spinach. 30 seconds in boiling water is enough.
- Green beans, pak choi or broccoli can replace the spinach.
Storing and freezing
Best the same day. Keeps 1 day in the fridge, cooled within 1 hour, though the colour fades.
Questions
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prepare the spinach bundles and dashi up to 6 hours ahead and keep chilled, then dress just before serving.
Is it dairy free and gluten free?
Yes, with homemade dashi and gluten free tamari. It contains fish through the bonito in the dashi, so it is not vegetarian.
More made with dashi stock
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
