Wasabi-Soy Salad Dressing

If you enjoy the sharp kick of wasabi in a dressing, Wasabi-Soy Salad Dressing is the perfect choice. The spicy heat of wasabi blends seamlessly with the umami-rich flavor of soy sauce and the mildness of oil, creating a refreshing taste that captures the essence of Japan.

Wasabi-Soy Salad Dressing is a Japanese dressing primarily made with wasabi paste and soy sauce, along with ingredients like oil and vinegar. The inclusion of wasabi, a type of Japanese horseradish, gives this dressing its distinct flavor and spiciness. It is one of Japan’s staple dressings and is especially recommended for those who love the unique flavor of wasabi.

It is incredibly easy to make, requiring no special equipment—just mix the ingredients together. The sharp, pungent heat of wasabi blends with the richness of oil, creating a well-balanced flavor that pleasantly stimulates your taste buds. Experience the perfect harmony of wasabi, soy sauce, and oil in this flavorful Japanese condiment.

This dressing can be made with a neutral oil, but there is one oil I highly recommend trying: extra virgin olive oil. Its unique, fruity flavor helps mellow out the sharpness of wasabi while enhancing its refreshing notes. The two ingredients complement each other beautifully without overpowering one another.

That said, using only olive oil can make the flavor a bit too strong, so the best balance is to combine it in equal parts with a neutral oil. Since the quality of olive oil directly affects the flavor of the dressing, I recommend using a high-quality one if possible. Wasabi-soy dressing made with olive oil also pairs wonderfully with dishes like carpaccio or roast beef.

When it comes to vinegar for this dressing, rice vinegar is the best choice. It is the most commonly used vinegar in Japan and is known for its mild acidity and subtle sweetness, which enhance the dish's flavor. It also works well to bring out the flavor of the wasabi.

If rice vinegar is not available, apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute. Since it also has relatively mild acidity, it should complement the flavor of wasabi.

Wasabi-soy salad dressing is one of the most common dressings in Japan, but there are many other classic varieties as well.

Another staple soy-based dressing is wafu dressing, while goma dressing, which has a sesame and mayonnaise base, is also a favorite. You can check out my recipe page through the link, so if you are interested in trying other Japanese dressings besides wasabi-soy dressing, feel free to take a look.

Ingredients

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Instructions

🕒 Total: 2 mins mins

Step 1
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients (wasabi, extra virgin olive oil, neutral oil, rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce) and mix well until the wasabi is fully dissolved and the mixture is emulsified.

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To store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.