Shio Kombu: The Seasoned Kombu Crispy Snack
Seasoned kombu or shio kombu is kombu that has been dried and flavored with various seasonings, such as soy sauce and mirin, and is, therefore, a type of tsukudani.
Kombu is a type of kelp that is commonly used in Japanese cuisine. It has a strong, umami flavor and is often used to make soup stocks or as a flavoring for other dishes.
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What does “Shio Kombu” mean?
Shio kombu is a type of seasoned kombu that has been flavored with salt. Shio means salt and kombu means kelp.
How do I use Seasoned Kombu?
You can use seasoned kombu as a crunchy topping or filling for a lot of dishes, mostly rice dishes that could use a little seasoning.
It can be used in onigiri for example to complement the sticky rice outside with a crunchy and salty inside.
What does Seasoned Kombu taste like?
Seasoned kombu has a strong, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness. It is often used as a flavoring for other dishes, such as soups or stews.
How do I store Seasoned Kombu?
You should store seasoned kombu in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will last for several months stored this way.
Best Seasoned Kombu to buy
If you want to get into the intense flavor that shio kombu can add, I’d recommend buying this Konatu seasoned kombu:
It has such an intense flavor you’ll talk about it for days and want to use it on absolutely everything.
Is Seasoned Kombu healthy?
Yes, kombu is a healthy food. It is low in calories and fat, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Kombu also contains antioxidants and has been shown to have some health benefits, such as promoting cardiovascular health and helping to prevent certain types of cancer.
Seasoned kombu is not the healthiest kind though, as it contains lots of sugar and salt so it should only be eaten in moderation and to flavor a dish with just a few teaspoons.
Conclusion
Seasoned kombu or shio kombu is something everyone can use in their dishes. It’s sweet and salty flavor can help bring out the best in many soups and rice bowls.
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
