What Is Dashi? A Quick Guide To Japanese Soup Stock

What is dashi? Make your soups truly special with this delicious Japanese soup stock. Learn about their unique ingredients and how to make them in 4 different ways!

Dashi is the foundation of all Japanese cooking, lending flavor and deliciousness with a few simple ingredients. This soup base adds enchanting depth to various classic dishes, from miso soups to nimono (simmered dishes).

In this guide, learn about the different kinds of dashi plus the ingredients and uses each one offers.

This recipe is for you if:
• You love Japanese cousine.
• You want to know about Japanese dashi.
• You are looking for how to make dashi.

Let’s get started!

What is Dashi?

Dashi is a simple soup stock with a key Japanese flavor that brings a delightful umami taste. From hearty soups and stews to delicious noodles – this wonderful broth adds an extra layer of flavor that will make any dish more delicious.

Making dashi involves only a short soak in water or a brief cooking time as we use aged dried ingredients, unlike other types of soup stocks that need to simmer for hours.

Dashi is commonly made by mixing two or more savory elements. The standard version is Awase dashi, which combines kelp seaweed and bonito flakes.

What Does Dashi Taste Like?

Traditional Japanese dashi is savory and flavorful with an inviting aroma, all thanks to umami. Umami is the fifth taste found in many Japanese ingredients (such as soy sauce and miso paste), bringing an extra flavor depth.

Dashi Ingredients

In Japanese cooking, the key ingredients for dashi broth are Katsuobushi, Kombu, Dried shiitake mushroom, and Niboshi. They are used alone or combined (See homemade dashi recipes at Types of dashi).

• Katsuobushi – Bonito flakes made by boiling and drying bonito fish meat. It’s the umami-packed ingredient that is also used for toppings and garnishes.
• Kombu seaweed – Edible kelp. It adds an extra layer of flavor to dishes with its umami taste.
• Dried Shiitake mushrooms – Fresh shiitake mushrooms are nutritious vegetables, but drying them makes them even more nutrient-dense and aromatic.
• Niboshi – Dried fish. Various kinds of fish are used for making niboshi, but sardine niboshi is the most common. It adds a unique flavor and intense aroma of fish.

Ways to Use Dashi

Dashi isn’t just for soups and stews — Try using it as you would with any other stock. It is a great ingredient to add savory flavor to noodle dishes, rice dishes, and many more.

• Miso soups – Tofu miso soup
• Noodle soup dishes – Kake udon (Udon noodle soup)
• Simmered dishes – Hijiki seaweed salad
• Seasoned rice
• Nabe (hot pot)

Types of Dashi Stock and How to Make Them

There are different types of dashi used in Japanese dishes as follows.

1. Awase Dashi
2. Kombu Dashi
3. Niboshi Dashi
4. Shiitake Kombu Dashi

Let me go through the unique characteristics of each dashi and how to prepare them.

1. Awase Dashi

Awase dashi (Awase means “combine” in Japanese) is made from two ingredients, katsuobushi and kombu. Combining both ingredients creates a synergistic effect and brings a rich flavor. It’s the most common type of dashi used in various classic Japanese dishes.

When making dashi, you will have leftover kombu and katsuobushi. You can reuse them and make niban dashi (2nd-time broth). The flavor is lighter than Ichiban dashi (1st-time broth) but is perfect for dishes with a stronger taste.

• Ingredients – Katsuobushi, kombu
• How to make – Boil ingredients in a large pot and strain with a paper towel. Click here to see the Awase dashi recipe.
• Dishes – Japanese soups, noodle dishes, nabe (hot pot), seasoned rice, nimono (simmered dishes), tamagoyaki (rolled egg)

2. Kombu Dashi (Vegan)

Kombu dashi tastes milder than other dashi but adds a deep umami flavor to enhance any dish. Its flavor varies based on which type of kombu is used.

• Ingredients – Kombu
• How to make – Soaking the kombu and boiling it. Click here to see the Kombu dashi recipe.
• Dishes – Japanese soups, noodle dishes, nabe (hot pot), seasoned rice, nimono (simmered dishes)

3. Niboshi Dashi (Iriko Dashi)

Niboshi dashi has a rich flavor and intense aroma of fish and goes well with miso soups and vegetable dishes. It’s also a good source of calcium. This is my favorite for making miso soup.

• Ingredients – Niboshi
• How to make – Boil niboshi and strain through a sieve. Click here to see the Niboshi dashi recipe.
• Dishes – Miso soups, noodle dishes, vegetable dishes

4. Shiitake Kombu Dashi (Vegan)

Shiitake kombu dashi is a vegan dashi and is used for traditional Shojin ryori (traditional Buddhist cooking). This dashi has mild umami and aroma.

• Ingredients – Dried shiitake mushrooms and kombu
• How to make – Cold brew. Click here to see the Shiitake kombu dashi recipe.
• Dishes – Japanese soups, nimono (simmered dishes)

Easy Way To Make Dashi

Making your own dashi gives you an authentic flavor and feeling, but if you don’t have time to make it, here are easy options!

Instant Dashi powder (Dashi granules)

If you want something quick and easy, these instant dashi powders help you. Add a couple of teaspoons to a saucepan with water. They are easy to dissolve.

Choose the one that suits your preference, but if unsure, pick katsuobushi dashi, which is standard for miso soup.

The variations:

• Kombu dashi powder – made from Kombu seaweed. It’s vegan. The flavor is mild.
• Katsuobushi dashi powder – made from katsuobushi (bonito flakes), kombu, and shiitake mushroom. This brings a well-balanced umami flavor.
• Niboshi dashi powder – made from niboshi (baby anchovy), katsuobushi (bonito flakes), kombu, and shiitake mushroom. It has a more intense flavor than the other two.

Dashi packets

Another option is a dashi packet, which is easy to use and gives authentic flavor.

Grounded dashi ingredients are in the packet. This one contains bonito, sardines, dried shiitake mushrooms, and kombu.

How to make dashi with the packet is simple. When you make miso soup, add one packet to a saucepan with water and cook. Then take it out before adding miso paste.

Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients

If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.

• Japanese market: Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai
• Asian market
• Whole Foods Market
• Health food stores
• Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon

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