Spinach and Hijiki Salad (Quick and Easy Salad Recipe)

Jun 29, 2024

2 min read

Updated: Oct 24

Introduction

This Japanese spinach and hijiki salad is a quick and nutritious side dish often served in home-style meals. Spinach, hijiki seaweed, corn, and tuna are tossed in a creamy sesame dressing that is savory, crunchy, and satisfying to your tastebuds!

This is one of my favorite appetizers for lunch time! I like to pair it with rice, protein dish, and soup as part of a balanced Japanese meal philosophy called

Ichiju-sansai.

If you struggle to get your daily nourishment of veggies, sea vegetables like hijiki are naturally rich in fiber and minerals, while spinach adds vitamins and freshness to the dish. Adding small side dishes like this is a simple way to make everyday meals more balanced and nourishing.

https://youtu.be/dFvBfAqX9Tk

Nutritious Spinach and Hijiki Salad

(ひじきサラダ)

Yield: 4 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 3 minutes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 bag spinach (200g)
3 tbsp (10 g) dried hijiki seaweed
½ can corn
1 can tuna (80g)

Dressing

2 tbsp mayonnaise
1–1½ tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp sugar
1½ tbsp ground sesame seeds

Optional Toppings

Grated daikon radish
Japanese seven spice

★ Find Japanese ingredients here.

Instructions

Preparation

Rehydrate the dried hijiki seaweed in water, then drain well.
If you are concerned about the sea smell of hijiki, you can briefly boil the rehydrated hijiki. Once it returns to a boil, strain the liquid and allow it to cool.

Steps

1. Blanch the spinach for 1 minute.

2. Cool it in an ice bath or under running water.

3. Squeeze out excess moisture and chop into bite-sized pieces.

4. In a bowl, combine spinach, rehydrated hijiki, corn, and drained tuna.

5. Add mayonnaise, soy sauce, sugar, and ground sesame seeds.

6. Mix well until evenly combined.