How to Make Spinach Gomaae (Sesame Spinach Salad Recipe)

Spinach Gomaae, or “Hourenso no Gomaae” in Japanese, is a classic side dish known throughout Japan. Its name literally means “spinach dressed with sesame,” highlighting its simple yet flavorful profile. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What sets this sesame spinach recipe apart is its focus on authentic Japanese techniques: the shoyu arai pre-seasoning prevents soggy spinach while enhancing umami, and freshly ground roasted sesame seeds create a rich, nutty aroma that store-bought sesame can’t match.

Precise blanching keeps the spinach bright green and tender-crisp, while the customizable sweetness lets you adjust the dressing to your taste. With just a few high-quality ingredients and careful technique, you can create a simple yet restaurant-level side dish that looks and tastes amazing.

Key Ingredients

Main Ingredient – Spinach: Fresh, firm stems with crisp, bright green leaves are essential for optimal texture and flavor.

Supporting Ingredient – White Sesame Seeds: Roasted white sesame seeds are ground to release their natural oils and aroma, forming the nutty backbone of the dressing.

Seasoning - Soy Sauce: Enhances umami and pre-seasons the spinach through the traditional shoyu arai technique.

Cooking Tips & Best Practices

• Blanching technique: Submerge stems for 10 seconds, leaves for 30 seconds, then transfer to ice water immediately to preserve color and texture.
• Shoyu Arai: Pre-seasoning spinach with soy sauce prevents wateriness and enhances flavor.
• Sesame seeds: Grind just before use for maximum aroma; pre-ground seeds can be used in a pinch.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

For a twist, try adding grated garlic to the sesame dressing for a subtle kick. 

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. When ready to serve, gently stir to redistribute the sesame dressing. Avoid reheating; it’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, which preserves its vibrant color and crisp-tender texture.

For vegan meals, pair it with the following recipes to create a full plant-based Japanese meal.:

• Buri Teriyaki – Sweet and savory yellowtail fish glazed with teriyaki sauce
• Pork Soboro Don – A comforting rice bowl with seasoned ground pork and scrambled egg
• Crumbled Tofu Don – Vegan rice bowl featuring seasoned crumbled tofu
• Vegetable Gyoza – Pan-fried Japanese dumplings stuffed with fresh vegetables