18 Recipe For Japanese Kinpira Gobo They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
If you're looking for a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to make and full of flavor, look no further than Japanese Kinpira Gobo. This traditional dish has been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries and is loved for its simplicity and bold flavors. Made with just a few simple ingredients, Kinpira Gobo is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while still satisfying your taste buds. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to make this dish at home and share some tips and tricks to elevate its taste and texture.
Main Ingredients: Gobo, Carrot, Canola Oil, Sesame Oil, Dashi Powder
Kinpira Gobo is a popular Japanese dish made with burdock root and carrots. It's a simple yet flavorful stir-fry that can be served as a side dish or a main course. The name "kinpira" comes from a legendary Japanese hero known for his strength and bravery, and this dish is said to give you the same strength and energy. The combination of the crunchy texture of the vegetables and the savory sauce makes this dish a must-try for any Japanese food lover.
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Kinpira Gobo
Main Ingredients: Gobo, Carrot, Oil, Dashi, Soy Sauce, Sugar, Sake
Kinpira Gobo is typically made by sautéing julienned burdock root and carrots in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin. The result is a sweet and salty dish with a slightly spicy kick from the addition of chili peppers. The key to making perfect Kinpira Gobo is to cut the vegetables into thin, even strips so they cook evenly. It's also important to use fresh burdock root, as it can become tough and stringy if it's not fresh.
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Miso Kinpira Gobo
Main Ingredients: Gobo, Oil, Sugar, Mirin, White Miso, Water, Toasted
A twist on the classic Kinpira Gobo, Miso Kinpira Gobo adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish. Instead of using a soy sauce-based sauce, this version uses miso paste, which adds a depth of flavor and a slightly thicker consistency. The addition of sesame seeds also gives the dish a nutty and toasty flavor. This dish is perfect for vegetarians and vegans as it doesn't contain any animal products.
Japanese Vegetable Stew, or "yasai no nimono," is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for colder months. It's made by simmering a variety of vegetables, including burdock root, carrots, daikon radish, and konnyaku, in a flavorful broth made with dashi, soy sauce, and sake. The result is a warm and satisfying dish that is both nutritious and delicious. It's often served as part of a traditional Japanese meal, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone dish.
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Monkfish Miso Nabe
Main Ingredients: Water, Dashi Kombu, Mirin, Kasu, Miso, Monkfish
Monkfish Miso Nabe is a popular hot pot dish in Japan that is perfect for sharing with friends and family. It's made by cooking monkfish and a variety of vegetables, including burdock root, in a miso-based broth. The addition of burdock root adds a nice crunch and earthy flavor to the dish. This dish is perfect for cold nights, and it's also a great way to use up leftover vegetables in your fridge.
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Nishime
Main Ingredients: Water, Kelp, Katsuobushi, Soy Sauce, White Sugar, Sake
Nishime is a traditional Japanese dish that is often served during special occasions, such as New Year's Day. It's a simmered dish made with an assortment of vegetables, including burdock root, carrots, daikon radish, konnyaku, and lotus root. These vegetables are simmered in a flavorful broth made with dashi, soy sauce, and sake until tender. The result is a colorful and delicious dish that is both healthy and satisfying.
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Make Kinpira Gobo
Main Ingredients: Gobo, Carrot, Mirin, Sugar, Sake, Soy Sauce, Sesame
If you're looking to make Kinpira Gobo at home, it's important to note that burdock root can be a bit tricky to work with. It has a tough outer skin that needs to be peeled, and it can be difficult to cut if it's not fresh. To make the process easier, you can soak the burdock root in water for a few minutes before peeling and cutting. This will help soften the skin, making it easier to remove. Once you have your burdock root and carrots julienned, simply sauté them in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin until they are tender.
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Japanese Carrot Kinpira
Main Ingredients: Medium Carrots, Sesame Oil, Light Soy Sauce, Mirin
If you're not a fan of burdock root, you can also make Kinpira Gobo using just carrots. This version, known as Japanese Carrot Kinpira, is just as delicious and simple to make. The carrots are julienned and cooked in the same soy sauce-based sauce until they are tender. This dish is perfect for those who are new to Japanese cuisine or for those who want a milder version of Kinpira Gobo.
Japanese Style Pancakes, also known as "okonomiyaki," are a popular street food in Japan. They are savory pancakes made with a batter of flour, eggs, and shredded cabbage, and are often filled with a variety of ingredients, such as pork, seafood, or vegetables. Burdock root is a popular addition to okonomiyaki, as it adds a nice crunch and earthy flavor to the dish. These pancakes are typically topped with a variety of sauces, including okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.
Japanese 'Cotton' Cheesecake, also known as "soufflé cheesecake," is a light and fluffy dessert that is popular in Japan. It's made with cream cheese, eggs, and sugar, and has a delicate texture that is similar to a soufflé. Burdock root is often added to the batter to give the cheesecake a unique flavor and texture. This dessert is not as sweet as traditional cheesecake and is perfect for those who prefer a lighter and less dense dessert.
Okonomiyaki is a popular Japanese dish that translates to "grilled as you like it." It's a savory pancake made with a batter of flour, eggs, and shredded cabbage, and can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as pork, seafood, or vegetables. The addition of burdock root adds a nice crunch and earthy flavor to the dish. Okonomiyaki is typically served with a variety of toppings, including okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes.
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Kakiage
Main Ingredients: Gobo, Carrot, Brown Onion, Green Beans, Shrimp, Cake
Kakiage is a type of tempura made with a mixture of vegetables, including burdock root and carrots. The vegetables are thinly sliced and coated in a light batter before being deep-fried until crispy. The result is a delicious and crunchy appetizer or side dish that is perfect for sharing. Kakiage is often served with a dipping sauce made with soy sauce and dashi.
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Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)
Main Ingredients: English Cucumber, Salt, Sugar, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar
Japanese Cucumber Salad, also known as "sunomono," is a refreshing and light side dish that is perfect for hot summer days. It's made with thinly sliced cucumbers, which are marinated in a tangy and slightly sweet dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. The addition of burdock root adds a nice crunch and subtle earthy flavor to the salad. Sunomono is often served as part of a traditional Japanese meal, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone dish.
Beef and Gobo Shigureni is a flavorful stir-fry made with thinly sliced beef and julienned burdock root. The dish gets its name from the word "shigure," which means "drizzle," as the sauce is drizzled over the beef and vegetables as they cook. The sauce is made with soy sauce, sake, sugar, and mirin, giving the dish a slightly sweet and savory flavor. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy a hearty and meaty dish.
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Miso Soup with Eggplant and Gobo
Main Ingredients: Broth, Miso Paste, Japanese Eggplant, Gobo, Green Onions
Miso Soup with Eggplant and Gobo is a hearty and comforting soup that is perfect for colder months. It's made with dashi broth, miso paste, eggplant, and burdock root. The addition of burdock root adds a nice crunch and earthy flavor to the soup. This dish is perfect for vegetarians and vegans as it doesn't contain any animal products.
Japanese Ramen is a popular noodle soup dish that is known for its rich and flavorful broth. The broth is typically made with a combination of pork bone, chicken, and vegetables, and is simmered for hours to achieve a depth of flavor. The noodles are topped with an assortment of toppings, including slices of pork, soft-boiled egg, and a variety of vegetables, such as burdock root. This dish is perfect for noodle lovers and is a must-try for anyone visiting Japan.
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Japanese Rice Balls Onigiri
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Umeboshi, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Mirin
Onigiri, also known as Japanese Rice Balls, are a popular snack in Japan. They are made by shaping cooked rice into a triangular or cylindrical shape and filling them with a variety of ingredients, such as pickled vegetables, fish, or meat. Burdock root is often added to the rice before shaping to give the onigiri a unique flavor and texture. Onigiri is a convenient and portable snack that is perfect for a quick and satisfying meal on the go.
Udon Noodle Soup is a popular dish in Japan, especially during colder months. It's made with thick and chewy udon noodles, which are served in a flavorful broth made with dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. The noodles are topped with an assortment of toppings, including slices of meat, vegetables, and a soft-boiled egg. Burdock root is often added to the soup for its crunchy texture and earthy flavor.
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Japanese Gyoza Dumplings
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Ground Pork, Garlic, Fresh Ginger
Gyoza Dumplings, also known as "potstickers," are a popular appetizer or side dish in Japan. They are made with a thin dough wrapper filled with a mixture of ground meat and vegetables, including burdock root. The dumplings are then pan-fried until crispy on one side and steamed to cook the filling. They are often served with a dipping sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.
Japanese Eggplant, also known as "nasu," is a popular vegetable in Japan and is often used in a variety of dishes. It has a thin and delicate skin and a soft and creamy interior. It's often prepared by grilling, frying, or simmering in a flavorful broth. Burdock root is often paired with eggplant in dishes like Miso Soup with Eggplant and Gobo, as the flavors complement each other well.
The Ingredients You'll Need
Gobo (burdock root)
Burdock root, also known as gobo in Japanese, is the star ingredient in Kinpira Gobo. This root vegetable has a slightly sweet and earthy flavor and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. To prepare the gobo, simply peel the skin and cut it into thin matchsticks. Soak the cut gobo in water for a few minutes to remove any bitterness.
Carrots
Carrots add a touch of sweetness to balance out the earthiness of the gobo. Cut carrots into thin matchsticks, similar in size to the gobo, for even cooking. Make sure to use fresh and firm carrots for the best texture and flavor.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a staple in Japanese cooking and adds a savory and umami flavor to the dish. Use a good quality soy sauce, preferably low-sodium, to avoid overpowering the other flavors.
Sake
Sake, a Japanese rice wine, is used to add depth of flavor to the dish. It also helps to tenderize the vegetables and balance out the saltiness of the soy sauce. If you don't have sake, you can substitute it with mirin or omit it altogether.
The Cooking Process
To start, heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the gobo and carrots and sauté for a few minutes until slightly softened. Next, add in the soy sauce, sake, and a pinch of sugar. Continue to cook for a few more minutes until the vegetables are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Optional Ingredients
While Kinpira Gobo is traditionally made with just gobo, carrots, and seasonings, you can add in other ingredients to customize the dish to your liking. Some popular additions include shiitake mushrooms, konnyaku (a gelatinous root vegetable), or even thinly sliced beef.
Serving Suggestions
Kinpira Gobo can be enjoyed as a side dish or served over rice as a main meal. You can also add it to salads, sandwiches, or noodle dishes for an extra boost of flavor and nutrients.
Final Thoughts
With its simple ingredients and easy cooking process, Japanese Kinpira Gobo is a dish that anyone can make at home. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and seasonings to find your perfect version of this classic dish. So next time you're craving a healthy and delicious meal, give Kinpira Gobo a try and impress your taste buds with its unique flavors.
