Dashimaki Tamago is a dish that offers a unique twist on Tamagoyaki. It has a fluffier texture than regular tamagoyaki, and as soon as you take a bite, you can taste the umami of dashi broth, which perfectly complements the flavor of the eggs.
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What is Dashimaki Tamago?
Dashimaki Tamago is a type of tamagoyaki prepared by adding dashi broth to the seasoned egg mixture. It is made by cooking the mixture thinly, rolling it, and then repeating this process until the layers become thicker. "Dashi" means Japanese broth, "maki" refers to rolling, and "Tamago" stands for eggs. Like tamagoyaki, this dish can be quickly prepared, allowing you to enjoy the nutritional benefits of eggs.
Dashi is an indispensable element in Japanese cuisine, enhancing the flavors of dishes. Dashimaki tamago, made by incorporating it, has a higher moisture content than regular tamagoyaki, resulting in a fluffier texture and a more flavorful taste.
Differences from tamagoyaki
Dashimaki tamago is prepared in almost the same way as tamagoyaki, but the addition of dashi broth gives it a distinctive flavor. Here are some characteristics that differentiate dashimaki tamago from tamagoyaki:
- It is typically served at dinner.
While tamagoyaki is more commonly eaten as a breakfast dish and is popular in bento (boxed lunches), dashimaki tamago is typically served during dinner as it requires dashi preparation. Additionally, it is more often found in restaurants in Japan.
- It is typically garnished with grated daikon radish and soy sauce.
Although dashimaki tamago is delicious on its own, it is often garnished with grated daikon radish and soy sauce to enhance the flavor. These toppings not only refresh the palate but also aid in digestion, complementing the flavor of dashimaki tamago nicely. I recommend trying both the garnished and plain versions to compare the flavors.
Kanto and Kansai styles
The flavor of dashimaki tamago varies depending on the region in Japan. In the Kanto region, located in Eastern Japan, many people prefer a sweeter flavor, while in the Kansai region, located in Western Japan, it is common to use a stronger dashi broth and have a less sweet taste.
I live in Osaka, which is in the Kansai region, and prefer dashimaki tamago that is not very sweet, so I would like to share a recipe for Kansai-style seasoning here. The intense umami of dashi and subtle salty flavor have an enduring charm that never gets boring.
Dedicated cooking utensil
In Japan, there is a dedicated cooking utensil known as a 'tamagoyaki pan,' specifically designed for making tamagoyaki and dashimaki tamago. The only difference between it and a regular frying pan is its rectangular or square shape, and almost every Japanese household that cooks has one, allowing for the easy creation of beautifully shaped dashimaki tamago. Although you can make it using a normal frying pan, if you are enthusiastic about making it regularly, I highly recommend getting a tamagoyaki pan.
Tamagoyaki pans are made of various materials, which can significantly affect the quality of dashimaki tamago. Non-stick coated ones are affordable and require less oil to use, while using a copper tamagoyaki pan can be an excellent choice if you aim to create the ultimate dashimaki tamago. It may be more expensive, but its high thermal conductivity results in a soft and delicate texture.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
Seasonings:
- 3 Tbsp bonito dashi (awase dashi) (For information on how to make bonito dashi and awase dashi, please refer to the linked article.)
- ½ tsp mirin
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Garnish (optional):
- 1 Tbsp grated daikon radish
- ½ tsp soy sauce (for the grated daikon)
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 5 mins
Here, I'm using a 'tamagoyaki pan' (rectangular or square frying pan) to make dashimaki tamago. If you want to make it in a regular frying pan, please refer to steps 2 through 7 on this linked page for the instructions. There is an additional step to shape the egg mixture into a rectangle.
Step 1
Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with the seasonings (dashi, mirin, and soy sauce).
Step 2
Dip a small piece of folded paper towel in oil, then apply it to a tamagoyaki pan. Heat the pan over high heat. Once the pan is hot, pour about a quarter of the egg mixture (for 2 servings) into the pan.
Step 3
If there are large air bubbles, pierce them and fill the holes with a small amount of the egg mixture. When the mixture is almost set but still slightly runny, roll it several times using chopsticks, as if folding it from the front to the back.
Step 4
Move the rolled egg to the front of the pan. Apply the oil, contained in a small folded paper towel, to the pan, and pour an equal amount of egg mixture as in step 2 into the pan.
Step 5
Repeat the same process as steps 3 and 4 until you have used all of the egg mixture, increasing the layers of the rolled egg. Each time you pour the egg mixture, use chopsticks to lift the rolled egg, allowing the mixture to spread underneath it.
Step 6
Once it is done, remove it from the pan before it overcooks due to residual heat.
Step 7 (optional)
Place it on a bamboo sushi mat or a piece of paper towel, and shape it nicely.
Step 8
Cut it into 1 inch (2.5cm) pieces.
Step 9 (optional)
Garnish with grated daikon radish and soy sauce, if desired.
To Store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Tips on how to make
Similar to tamagoyaki, dashimaki tamago is a dish that cooks quickly over high heat, so you may need some practice to make it nicely. The following tips should help you get started in making this dish.
- Apply oil to the pan each time you add the egg mixture. To avoid putting too much oil, dip a small piece of folded paper towel in oil and apply it to the pan. Even when using a non-stick pan, it is advisable to apply oil, as the mixture tends to stick.
- Cook the egg mixture over high heat. The high heat rapidly evaporates the moisture in the mixture and coagulates the proteins simultaneously, creating a fine texture. If you feel the heat is too intense, adjust by moving the pan away from the heat source.
- Perform all of the heating steps quickly. If the egg mixture is overcooked, it becomes tough and dry in texture.
- The process of shaping dashimaki tamago by placing it on a sushi mat or a piece of paper towel after it is ready is optional and typically not practiced in Japanese households, but it is often required in restaurants. This process is also suitable for cooking in a frying pan.
Recipe Card
Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Rolled Omelette with Dashi)
Equipment
- tamagoyaki pan (rectangular or square frying pan)
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
Seasonings:
- 3 Tbsp bonito dashi (awase dashi) (For information on how to make bonito dashi and awase dashi, please refer to the linked article.)
- ½ tsp mirin
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Garnish (optional):
- 1 Tbsp grated daikon radish
- ½ tsp soy sauce (for the grated daikon)
Instructions
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with the seasonings (dashi, mirin, and soy sauce).
- Dip a small piece of folded paper towel in oil, then apply it to a tamagoyaki pan. Heat the pan over high heat. Once the pan is hot, pour about a quarter of the egg mixture (for 2 servings) into the pan.
- If there are large air bubbles, pierce them and fill the holes with a small amount of the egg mixture. When the mixture is almost set but still slightly runny, roll it several times using chopsticks, as if folding it from the front to the back.
- Move the rolled egg to the front of the pan. Apply the oil, contained in a small folded paper towel, to the pan, and pour an equal amount of egg mixture as in step 2 into the pan.
- Repeat the same process as steps 3 and 4 until you have used all of the egg mixture, increasing the layers of the rolled egg. Each time you pour the egg mixture, use chopsticks to lift the rolled egg, allowing the mixture to spread underneath it.
- Once it is done, remove it from the pan before it overcooks due to residual heat.
- (Optional) Place it on a bamboo sushi mat or a piece of paper towel, and shape it nicely.
- Cut it into 1 inch (2.5cm) pieces.
- (Optional) Garnish with grated daikon radish and soy sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Here, I'm using a 'tamagoyaki pan' (rectangular or square frying pan) to make dashimaki tamago. If you want to make it in a regular frying pan, please refer to steps 2 through 7 on this linked page for the instructions. There is an additional step to shape the egg mixture into a rectangle.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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