Description
Warm up on chilly days with this comforting homemade Oden recipe—a traditional Japanese hot pot featuring a savory dashi broth simmered with daikon, fish cakes, tofu puffs, mushrooms, and more. This hearty stew infuses every ingredient with rich flavors, perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Broth
- 6 cups dashi broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 1 teaspoon salt
Main Ingredients
- 4 large daikon radish rounds, peeled
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
- 4 small potatoes, peeled
- 4 konjac pieces
- 4 fish cakes (such as chikuwa or kamaboko), sliced
- 4 tofu puffs (aburaage)
- 2 sausage links (optional)
- 4 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 sheet kombu seaweed, cut into pieces
Serving
- Japanese mustard (karashi) for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, combine the dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, ensuring the flavors meld together to create a savory base for the stew.
- Simmer Root Vegetables: Add the peeled daikon radish rounds and small potatoes to the simmering broth. Let them cook gently for 20 minutes until they start to soften, imparting sweetness and texture to the dish.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Carefully add konjac pieces, hard-boiled eggs, fish cakes, tofu puffs, optional sausage links, shiitake mushrooms, and kombu seaweed to the pot. Stir carefully to combine while preserving the shape of delicate ingredients.
- Slow Simmer to Flavor: Reduce heat to low and allow the entire pot to simmer gently for 40 to 50 minutes. This slow cooking ensures all ingredients absorb the flavorful broth without boiling rapidly, which keeps the broth clear and the textures intact.
- Serve with Condiments: Ladle the hot oden into bowls with generous broth. Offer Japanese mustard (karashi) on the side for dipping, adding a spicy kick that complements the mellow flavors perfectly.
Notes
- Oden tastes even better after resting for a few hours or overnight, allowing the flavors to deepen as the ingredients soak up the broth.
- Customize your oden by adding mochi bags, octopus, or other favorite vegetables according to your preference.
- Keep the simmer gentle to maintain a clear broth and prevent the ingredients from breaking apart.
