If you want to enjoy vegetables with a unique flavor, Okaka-ae is highly recommended. It allows you to savor the natural flavors of the ingredients while experiencing a full range of traditional Japanese seasonings.
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What is Okaka-ae?
Okaka-ae is a dish made by tossing vegetables (or sometimes other ingredients) with shaved bonito flakes and soy sauce. Okaka means shaved bonito flakes (often seasoned with soy sauce), and ae refers to tossing ingredients together. Since it takes very little time to prepare, it's a great choice when you want to add vegetables to your menu.
While bonito flakes are commonly used for making dashi (Japanese soup stock), in okaka-ae, they are used as an ingredient. Okaka is a popular seasoning ingredient that can also be eaten by itself and is often used as a filling for onigiri (rice balls). It's a traditional Japanese taste.
What vegetables are used?
The recipe on this page uses okra, but you can basically use any vegetable that is usually eaten raw or boiled for okaka-ae. In Japan, okra, broccoli, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), and spinach are commonly enjoyed.
Try various vegetables from your local neighborhood. You can use multiple vegetables at once to make okaka-ae.
Variations of okaka
Okaka is a favorite in Japanese households because it can be quickly made with a few ingredients. In addition to using it in Okaka-ae, it is enjoyed as an accompaniment to rice, onigiri, and can be stir-fried with vegetables.
You can also vary the flavor of okaka by adding different ingredients to it. Ume Okaka made with umeboshi (salt-pickled plums), and Miso Okaka made with miso are also popular in Japan.
Ingredients
- 10 (3oz./85g) okra
- ½ Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ Tbsp (0.05oz./1.5g) shaved bonito flakes
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 10 mins
Step 1
Sprinkle salt (not included in the recipe) on the okra and rub them together.
Step 2
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add the okra and cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove the okra.
Step 3
Chill the okra in cold water or under running water, and then drain it. Remove the stem end of each okra and cut the remaining pods diagonally into 2-3 pieces.
Step 4
Put the okra, soy sauce, and shaved bonito flakes in a bowl and toss them together.
To Store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Tips on how to make
- Sprinkle salt on the okra and rub them together before boiling. This will remove the fuzz from the okra, resulting in a smooth texture and giving the okra a bright green color when boiled.
- After boiling, remove the stem end of each okra. If you cut off the stem end first, the moisture will get inside the okra, making it watery.
Recipe Card
Okra Okaka-ae
Ingredients
- 10 (3oz./85g) okra
- ½ Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ Tbsp (0.05oz./1.5g) shaved bonito flakes
Instructions
- Sprinkle salt (not included in the recipe) on the okra and rub them together.
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add the okra and cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove the okra.
- Chill the okra in cold water or under running water, and then drain it. Remove the stem end of each okra and cut the remaining pods diagonally into 2-3 pieces.
- Put the okra, soy sauce, and shaved bonito flakes in a bowl and toss them together.
Notes
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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