Japanese Spinach Salad

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Japanese Spinach Salad is quick to make with wilted spinach, toasted sesame seeds, and a light soy-based dressing. Serve as an easy side dish with Asian Mushroom Rice or Miso Grilled Tofu.

A bowl of cooked spinach garnished with white sesame seeds, with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the rim. Fresh spinach leaves and a white napkin are visible in the background.

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Goma-ae Style Spinach Salad

This salad is made with just a handful of ingredients but packs in flavor. The sesame seeds are quickly toasted to bring out their nutty aroma, then whisked into a light dressing made with soy sauce, water, and a touch of sugar. It’s gently tossed with just-wilted spinach and served chilled or at room temperature.

Goma-ae is a classic Japanese vegetable side dish, typically made by tossing cooked greens—most often spinach—with a simple dressing of sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar. The name translates to “sesame-dressed” in Japanese. This spinach salad is similar to traditional goma ae but uses whole toasted sesame seeds and a thinner vinaigrette-style dressing. The flavor profile stays true to the classic Japanese side dish, with a balance of savory and slightly sweet notes that highlight the natural taste of the spinach.

As a home cook focused on vegetarian and plant-based recipes, I’m always looking for easy ways to bring new flavor to familiar ingredients. This simple recipe takes about ten minutes from start to finish and works well as a side with rice bowls, tofu dishes, or anything grilled.

A plate of sautéed spinach garnished with white sesame seeds, with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting on the edge.

Ingredients for Japanese Spinach Salad

You will need the following:

White Sesame Seeds – Lightly toasted to bring out their flavor. Black sesame seeds work too, but the flavor is slightly more intense.
Water – Thins the dressing without diluting the flavor.
Soy Sauce – Adds a salty, umami-rich base. Use low-sodium if preferred. Tamari is slightly richer in flavor and can be used to make this dish gluten-free.
Granulated Sugar – Just enough to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
Fresh Baby Spinach – Quickly blanched and squeezed to remove moisture before being sliced and tossed in the dressing.

How to Make Japanese Spinach Salad

STEP ONE: Toast the sesame seeds. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sesame seeds and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, just until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside.

STEP TWO: Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, soy sauce, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds. Set aside.

STEP THREE: Blanch the spinach. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spinach and cook for about 1 minute, just until wilted. Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

STEP FOUR: Squeeze and slice. Once the spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze firmly to remove excess moisture. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop.

STEP FIVE: Dress and serve. Add the spinach to a bowl, pour over the sesame dressing, and toss to coat. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately or chill until ready to eat.

Make It Vegan 🌱

This salad is naturally vegan, with no substitutions needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-toasted sesame seeds?

Yes, but toast them again anyway. Even pre-toasted seeds benefit from a quick minute in a dry skillet, which releases their oil and brings the nutty flavor forward.

What other vegetables can I use?

Goma-ae works with any sturdy green that holds up to brief blanching. Green beans, broccolini, and asparagus all take this dressing well. Blanch until just tender, then proceed as with the spinach.

A white bowl filled with cooked spinach leaves, garnished with white sesame seeds. Wooden chopsticks and a white napkin are placed nearby on a white surface.

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad can be made up to a day in advance and kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator. The spinach will continue to absorb the dressing, so give it a quick stir before serving.

More Japanese-Inspired Recipes

A bowl of Japanese spinach salad topped with sesame seeds, with a green banner across the middle displaying the text Japanese Spinach Salad in white letters.

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