Figuring out main dishes for dinner is relatively easy, but I often struggle with what to serve alongside it. Ideally, I’d like to serve 2 small side dishes for my Ichiju Sansai style Japanese meal. For this reason, I always keep a few standbys that I can alternate on weeknights. One of my best go-to sides is Shiraae or Mashed Tofu Salad. This classic salad pairs well with a variety of Japanese or Asian mains. Best of all, it is packed with nutrients, making it an all-star side dish. There is plenty of variations to enjoy this recipe too!
Shiraae (Mashed Tofu Salad)
At its most basic, shiraae (白和え), pronounced [shi-ra-ah-eh], is made with a mixture of mashed tofu, toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar. The mixture serves as a rich and creamy base flavor for the vegetables you have in season. There are so many paths to making the recipe, so you can always keep things fresh and exciting. I’ve introduced Green Bean Shiraae and Bitter Melon Shiraae before, but this time I’m going to make it with chrysanthemum greens.
The Basic Ingredients You’ll Need
White sesame seeds Medium tofu (momen dofu) Miso Sugar Mirin Soy Sauce Salt
3 Easy Steps for Making Shiraae
What Are Chrysanthemum Greens?
It is a common Asian green that is available during the spring to autumn seasons. You might have seen chrysanthemum greens being served as common additions to hot pot dishes such as shabu shabu or sukiyaki. We usually keep plenty of chrysanthemum leaves at home (it often comes in a big bag). When I don’t need them for a hot pot, I’ll make 2 easy variations of chrysanthemum salad/side dish – Shiraae or Gomaae.
Flavor Your Shiraae with Miso
I like to season the shiraae with a small amount of miso to give it a dynamic boost. The tofu absorbs and holds all the flavors well, resulting in a punchy mixture that pairs beautifully with the greens. In today’s recipe, I used Enjuku Koji Miso Reduced Sodium from Hikari Miso. Enjuku Koji Miso has been Hikari Miso’s long-selling product for over 20 years since its introduction in 1993. The preservative-free miso features a mild flavor and rich fragrance incorporated with natural sweetness and robust umami of koji. I chose the Reduced Sodium as it contains 25% less sodium than regular Enjuku Koji Miso. You can use white miso or awase miso too.
Where to Get Enjuku Koji Miso Reduced Sodium
You can find this product in Japanese/Asian grocery stores.
5 Tips to Make Delicious Chrysanthemum Greens and Tofu Salad
Drain tofu really well – The tofu contains moisture and it’s best to drain the moisture as much as possible. I do not use extra firm tofu because that’s too dry. You want a tender and fluffy texture. Don’t overcook the chrysanthemum leaves – There are a few varieties and some have tougher stems, but the leaves are all light and cook in flash. Always cook the stems first, then add leafy parts later. Toast sesame seeds – If you believe small steps can make a difference, then follow my lead. I recommend lightly toasting the roasted/toasted sesame seeds. It is an extra step but this will bring out the aroma and flavors from the pantry-lived sesame seeds. Grind the sesame seeds but leave 20% unground – It’s my personal taste, but I like to keep some crunchy bits of unground sesame seeds in the mix. If you enjoy shiraee and gomaae, I recommend investing in a Japanese ceramic mortar and a wooden pestle. Grind tofu into a smooth and fluffy paste – Traditionally, some recipes recommend passing tofu through a fine-mesh sieve, but for a home dish, I think it’s okay to have some chunky bits. Don’t make it ahead of time – Because tofu might still have some remaining moisture, the residual liquid will dilute the flavor if you make it ahead of time.
This salad is really delicious with fish, but you can definitely serve it as a main for vegan/ vegetarian meal too. Try it with fragrant mixed rice like Sweet Onion Takikomi Gohan and a vegan miso soup. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
