Japanese Winter Oden Stew

A comforting Japanese stew with fish cakes for cold weather.

Oden is a traditional Japanese stew, perfect for warming up during the cold winter months. It features a variety of fish cakes simmered in a soy sauce-based dashi broth. Often served in a donabe clay pot, it is an excellent dish for sharing with friends and family.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2-3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Servings: 4-6 servings

Full Ingredient List

  • 3-4 cups dashi stock
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 5-6 assorted fish cakes (such as chikuwa, gobo-maki)
  • 1 block of firm tofu
  • 4 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 daikon radish
  • 1 konjac block
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Stew Base

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
3-4 cups dashi stock homemade or store-bought chicken stock
2 tablespoons soy sauce tamari
1 tablespoon mirin sake with sugar
1 teaspoon sugar honey

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in the pot. (Tips: Adjust the seasoning to taste.)
  2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. (Tips: Ensure it does not boil over.)

Ingredients Addition

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions
5-6 pieces assorted fish cakes sliced as needed surimi
1 block firm tofu cut into cubes silken tofu
4 hard boiled eggs peeled
1 daikon radish peeled and sliced thickly turnip
1 konjac block cut into strips shirataki noodles
to taste salt
to taste pepper

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Add fish cakes, tofu, eggs, daikon, and konjac to the simmering pot. (Tips: Add each ingredient gradually.)
  2. Step 2: Simmer everything until flavors meld, for 1-3 hours. (Tips: Taste to ensure flavors have infused.)

Serving

Tools and Equipment

Ingredients

Quantity Name Preparation Notes Substitutions

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Serve oden in a heated donabe or large serving bowl. (Tips: Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste before serving.)

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Sugar: 6g

Additional Information

Notes: Oden is flexible and can include a variety of ingredients based on preference.

Background: Oden is a popular and traditional Japanese dish especially enjoyed during the cold months. It is often sold at convenience stores in Japan and is known for its hearty and warming qualities.

Geographic Region: Japan

Seasonality: Winter

Occasion: Family dinner

Recommended Pairings

  • Green tea
  • Sake

Tags

Japanese Soup Stew Winter Comfort Food Family Traditional Dashi based