Spinach Goma-ae
Blanched spinach in a sweet sesame dressing.
Ingredients
- 300 g Spinach
- 4 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu)
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Mirin (optional)
Method
- Toast and grind the sesame seeds, then mix in the soy, mirin, and sugar to make a dressing.
- Blanch the spinach, refresh, and squeeze dry.
- Toss the spinach in the sesame dressing.
- Serve.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Spinach Goma-ae
Spinach goma-ae is a classic Japanese side dish of blanched spinach dressed in a sweet, toasty sesame sauce. Goma-ae simply means 'dressed with sesame,' and it's one of the small vegetable dishes that round out a traditional Japanese meal, alongside rice and a main. The character of the dish comes almost entirely from the sesame: seeds toasted until fragrant, then ground so their oils release and bind with soy, mirin, and a touch of sugar into a nutty, savory-sweet coating.
It eats light and clean, the spinach cooked just enough to soften while keeping its color and bite, then squeezed dry so the sesame dressing clings instead of sliding off in watery pools. The flavor is gently sweet, deeply nutty, and rounded with the umami of soy, making it a soothing counterpoint to richer or saltier dishes on the table. It's quick, vegan, and low in calories, which suits it to both everyday meals and bento boxes. The two moves that make or break this version are toasting and grinding the sesame yourself for maximum aroma, and wringing the blanched spinach genuinely dry so the dressing concentrates on the leaves.
Spinach Goma-ae: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Spinach Goma-ae?
A serving has about 125 calories — 5.2g protein, 10.2g carbs, 7.8g fat, 3.5g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Spinach Goma-ae gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu). You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
Do I need every ingredient to make Spinach Goma-ae?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out mirin — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Spinach Goma-ae make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.