Sansai Gohan (山菜ご飯 - Mountain Vegetable Rice)
A simple and nourishing Japanese rice dish made with mountain vegetables (sansai), seasoned with soy sauce and dashi.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 439kcal
Equipment
- Rice cooker or medium saucepan with lid for cooking the rice
- Fine-mesh sieve or colander for rinsing and draining rice
- Cutting board and sharp knife for prepping abura-age and toppings
- Mixing spoon or rice paddle (shamoji) for gently stirring the rice after cooking
- Measuring cups and spoons to get your seasonings just right
- Small bowl for soaking the abura-age in boiling water
Ingredients
- 180 g drained sansai mizuni preserved mountain vegetables, drained
- 1 sheet abura-age fried tofu skin
- 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
- 2 cups vegan dashi
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons sake
- 1 pinch salt
Optional toppings
- Toasted sesame seeds + salt homemade gomashio
- Mishima Gokoku Gomashio Japanese multigrain and sesame salt blend
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in clean water three times, or until the water runs clear.
- Soak the rice in water for at least 20 minutes.
- Drain the rice thoroughly using a fine sieve or colander.
- Place the abura-age sheet in a bowl and pour boiling water over it. Let it soak for 30 seconds.
- Rinse the abura-age under cold water to remove excess oil, then gently squeeze out the water with your hands.
- Cut the abura-age into four equal pieces.
- Then slice into thin strips (about 2mm by 4cm). Set aside.
- Drain and rinse the sansai mizuni under running water. Set aside.
- Transfer the drained rice to your rice cooker or saucepan and add the vegan dashi, mirin, soy sauce, sake, and salt to the rice. Stir to combine.
- Layer the mountain vegetables and abura-age strips on top of the rice mixture.
- If using a rice cooker, start the cooking process and let it complete. If cooking on the stovetop, cover the saucepan with a lid, bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cook for about 15–20 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the rice is cooked, gently stir to evenly distribute the vegetables.
- Serve in your favorite rice bowl and, if desired, sprinkle with gomashio (a sesame and salt blend) for added flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serve | Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1393mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 3mg
