Japanese · Side

Spinach Gomaae

Blanched spinach in a sweet, nutty sesame dressing.

12min
96kcal
4.5gprotein
Spinach Gomaae — Japanese recipe, finished and plated
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Ingredients

Servings 4
  • 300 g Spinach
  • 3 tbsp Sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp Japanese soy sauce (koikuchi shoyu)
  • 1 tbsp Sugar
  • ½ tsp Salt

Method

  1. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan, then grind to a coarse paste with soy and sugar.
  2. Blanch the spinach briefly, refresh in cold water, and squeeze dry.
  3. Toss the spinach in the sesame dressing.
  4. Mound into small bowls and serve.

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About Spinach Gomaae

Spinach gomaae is a traditional Japanese side dish, one of the small vegetable preparations known as ohitashi that round out a meal. The name refers to the goma, or sesame, dressing that coats blanched spinach in a sweet-savory, nutty sauce. Its whole character comes from the sesame seeds being toasted and then ground into a coarse paste with soy sauce and sugar — the grinding releases the seeds' oils and aroma, giving the dressing far more depth than whole seeds ever could.

The dish is quietly elegant: cool, tender spinach with a clinging dressing that's nutty, faintly sweet, and gently salty from the shoyu. Blanching the spinach briefly and squeezing it dry keeps the leaves vivid and concentrated rather than waterlogged, so the dressing has something to grip. Served in small mounded bowls at room temperature, gomaae is one of several little plates in a Japanese meal, a light foil to richer grilled or fried dishes. It's vegan, quick, and keeps well in the fridge, which makes it an ideal make-ahead component for a bento or a spread of side dishes.

Spinach Gomaae: frequently asked questions

How many calories are in Spinach Gomaae?

A serving has about 96 calories — 4.5g protein, 8.8g carbs, 5.9g fat, 3g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.

Is Spinach Gomaae 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.

How many servings does Spinach Gomaae make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.