Goma Dare (Japanese Sesame Sauce)

December 5, 2018

Goma Dare (Japanese Sesame Sauce) - kvalifood.com

Goma dare is a Japanese sesame dipping sauce. Sesame paste is mixed with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and dashi into a smooth, nutty sauce. It is served with shabu-shabu, cold noodles, blanched vegetables, and salads.

Makes ca. 120 ml

Ingredients

3 tbsp Japanese sesame paste (neri goma), or tahini
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar, unseasoned
2 tbsp dashi stock (or water with 1/8 tsp dashi powder)
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 pinch salt

Directions

Stir the sesame paste well before measuring – the oil separates on standing.

Combine the sesame paste and sugar in a small bowl. Mix until the sugar dissolves into the paste.

Add the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Stir – the mixture may clump at first, which is normal.

Gradually drizzle in the dashi, a little at a time, stirring smooth between additions to prevent lumps.

Stir in the sesame oil. Mix until completely smooth.

Taste and adjust: more salt if needed, more vinegar for brightness, more dashi to thin.

Notes

Keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before serving as it may separate.
For a salad dressing, add an extra 1 tbsp rice vinegar and thin with more dashi or water.
Neri goma is made from more deeply toasted seeds than tahini, giving a darker color and richer flavor. Tahini works fine but is milder and lighter.
Without dashi, use plain water. A pinch of MSG can compensate for the lost complexity.
For extra umami, add 1 tbsp white (shiro) miso. For rounder sweetness, add 1 tsp mirin.
For a creamy modern version, add 1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie).