Creamy Japanese Sesame Spinach Goma-ae
This elegant Japanese side dish features tender spinach tossed in a creamy, nutty toasted sesame sauce. Quick to prepare and perfect for holidays, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s light, nourishing, and full of nostalgic comfort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 oz (about 6 cups) fresh spinach, washed and stems trimmed (baby spinach optional)
- 3 tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (regular or low-sodium)
- 1–2 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp mirin (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt (for blanching spinach)
- Water (for blanching)
- Extra toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Wash spinach thoroughly and trim any tough stems. If using baby spinach, no chopping needed.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt. Blanch spinach for 30–45 seconds until wilted and bright green.
- Drain spinach in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Squeeze gently to remove excess water and lay on a towel to dry.
- Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Grind toasted sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until a coarse powder and some paste forms (about 2–3 minutes).
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground sesame, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin (if using). Stir until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness with water if needed.
- Add dried spinach to the bowl and toss gently until evenly coated with sesame sauce.
- Arrange spinach on a serving platter and garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds. Optional: add pomegranate seeds or carrot ribbons for color.
Notes
Toast sesame seeds fresh for best flavor. Drain spinach thoroughly to avoid watery sauce. Mirin adds extra shine and sweetness but is optional. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos. You can substitute sunflower seeds for sesame if needed. Make the sauce ahead and toss with spinach just before serving for peak freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: goma-ae, Japanese spinach salad, sesame spinach, holiday side dish, vegetarian, easy Japanese recipe, creamy sesame sauce, gluten-free option