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'''Dashi''' is a class of soup and cooking stock used in Japanese cuisine. Dashi forms the base for miso soup, clear broth, noodle broth, and many kinds of simmering liquid. It is also mixed into flour base of some grilled foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
{{Short description|Japanese soup stock}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}


== Ingredients ==
'''Dashi''' (出汁, だし) is a class of soup and cooking stock used in [[Japanese cuisine]]. It forms the base for many Japanese soups, broths, and sauces, such as [[miso soup]], [[clear broth soup]], [[noodle broth]], and many kinds of [[nimono]] (simmered dishes). Dashi is also mixed into flour base of some grilled foods like [[okonomiyaki]] and [[takoyaki]].
The most common form of dashi is a simple broth or fish stock made by heating water containing [[Kombu]] (edible kelp) and [[Kezurikatsuo]] (shavings of katsuobushi – preserved, fermented skipjack tuna) to near boiling, then straining the resultant liquid. The element of umami, one of the five basic tastes, is introduced into dashi from the use of katsuobushi. Katsuobushi is especially high in sodium inosinate, which is identified as one source of umami.


== Varieties ==
==Ingredients and Preparation==
There are several varieties of dashi, including:
Dashi is traditionally made by heating water containing [[kombu]] (edible kelp) and [[katsuobushi]] (preserved, fermented skipjack tuna) to near-boiling, then straining the resultant liquid.  
* '''Kombu Dashi''' - This is made with only kombu kelp and is suitable for vegetarians.
* '''Shiitake Dashi''' - This is made from dried shiitake mushrooms and is also suitable for vegetarians.
* '''Iriko Dashi''' - This is made from small dried sardines and has a stronger flavor than some other dashi.
* '''Awase Dashi''' - This is a combination of several ingredients, often including kombu and katsuobushi.


== Uses ==
[[File:Katsuobushi_02.jpg|Katsuobushi, a key ingredient in dashi|thumb|right]]
Dashi is used in many Japanese dishes, including soups, stews, and sauces. It is also used as a cooking liquid for simmering foods. Dashi can be used to add flavor to rice by cooking the rice in dashi instead of water.


== See also ==
===Kombu===
Kombu is a type of kelp that is rich in [[umami]] flavor due to its high content of [[glutamic acid]]. It is harvested from the sea, dried, and then used to impart a savory taste to dashi.
 
===Katsuobushi===
Katsuobushi is made from skipjack tuna that has been boiled, smoked, and fermented. It is shaved into thin flakes and used to add a smoky, umami-rich flavor to dashi.
 
===Variations===
There are several variations of dashi, including:
 
* '''Awase dashi''': A combination of kombu and katsuobushi, which is the most common type of dashi.
* '''Kombu dashi''': Made solely from kombu, suitable for vegetarian dishes.
* '''Niboshi dashi''': Made from dried baby sardines, offering a fishier flavor.
* '''Shiitake dashi''': Made from dried shiitake mushrooms, providing a rich, earthy flavor.
 
==Instant Dashi==
[[File:Dashipackages.JPG|Various packages of instant dashi|thumb|left]]
 
Instant dashi granules and powders are widely available and offer a convenient alternative to traditional preparation. These products dissolve quickly in water and are often used in home cooking for their ease of use.
 
==Culinary Uses==
Dashi is a fundamental component in many Japanese dishes. It is used as a base for:
 
* '''[[Miso soup]]''': A traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which softened miso paste is mixed.
* '''[[Ramen]]''': A noodle soup dish that often uses dashi as part of its broth.
* '''[[Soba]] and [[Udon]]''': Noodle dishes that are served in a dashi-based broth.
* '''[[Chawanmushi]]''': A savory egg custard dish flavored with dashi.
 
==Cultural Significance==
Dashi is not only a culinary staple but also a cultural icon in Japan. It represents the essence of Japanese cooking, emphasizing simplicity and the natural flavors of ingredients. The umami taste of dashi is a key element in the Japanese concept of "[[washoku]]" (traditional Japanese cuisine), which is recognized by [[UNESCO]] as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
 
==Related Pages==
* [[Japanese cuisine]]
* [[Japanese cuisine]]
* [[Umami]]
* [[Kombu]]
* [[Katsuobushi]]
* [[Miso soup]]
* [[Miso soup]]
* [[Noodle broth]]


[[Category:Japanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Japanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Soups]]
[[Category:Broths]]
[[Category:Broths]]
 
[[Category:Food ingredients]]
{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 10:55, 23 March 2025

Japanese soup stock



Dashi (出汁, だし) is a class of soup and cooking stock used in Japanese cuisine. It forms the base for many Japanese soups, broths, and sauces, such as miso soup, clear broth soup, noodle broth, and many kinds of nimono (simmered dishes). Dashi is also mixed into flour base of some grilled foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.

Ingredients and Preparation[edit]

Dashi is traditionally made by heating water containing kombu (edible kelp) and katsuobushi (preserved, fermented skipjack tuna) to near-boiling, then straining the resultant liquid.

Katsuobushi, a key ingredient in dashi

Kombu[edit]

Kombu is a type of kelp that is rich in umami flavor due to its high content of glutamic acid. It is harvested from the sea, dried, and then used to impart a savory taste to dashi.

Katsuobushi[edit]

Katsuobushi is made from skipjack tuna that has been boiled, smoked, and fermented. It is shaved into thin flakes and used to add a smoky, umami-rich flavor to dashi.

Variations[edit]

There are several variations of dashi, including:

  • Awase dashi: A combination of kombu and katsuobushi, which is the most common type of dashi.
  • Kombu dashi: Made solely from kombu, suitable for vegetarian dishes.
  • Niboshi dashi: Made from dried baby sardines, offering a fishier flavor.
  • Shiitake dashi: Made from dried shiitake mushrooms, providing a rich, earthy flavor.

Instant Dashi[edit]

Various packages of instant dashi

Instant dashi granules and powders are widely available and offer a convenient alternative to traditional preparation. These products dissolve quickly in water and are often used in home cooking for their ease of use.

Culinary Uses[edit]

Dashi is a fundamental component in many Japanese dishes. It is used as a base for:

  • Miso soup: A traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which softened miso paste is mixed.
  • Ramen: A noodle soup dish that often uses dashi as part of its broth.
  • Soba and Udon: Noodle dishes that are served in a dashi-based broth.
  • Chawanmushi: A savory egg custard dish flavored with dashi.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Dashi is not only a culinary staple but also a cultural icon in Japan. It represents the essence of Japanese cooking, emphasizing simplicity and the natural flavors of ingredients. The umami taste of dashi is a key element in the Japanese concept of "washoku" (traditional Japanese cuisine), which is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Related Pages[edit]