Dashi is the beginning of many Japanese soups, dishes, and sauces, such as miso, ramen, a seasoning to flavor vegetables, Chankonabe stew or Kaiseki (several dishes in this traditional meal require the use of dashi). There are several different types of dashi some are regional varieties while others appear seasonally.
Ichiban Dashi also is known as the first dashi is made from a combination of kombu and katsuobushi (Bonito flakes). For a vegan, dashi recipe, check out our shojin recipe.




Ichiban Dashi
Ingredients
- 10 g Kombu*
- 1 litre water room temperature*
- 1/2 cup katsuobushi or bonito flakes
Instructions
- Place the Kombu and the water into a jar with a lid or leave it in the pot you will be using with a lid on top. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or sit overnight on the counter or in the fridge. It should not be left in a hot place.
- Place the kombu and the water into a pot, if you have not already done so. Place the pot on a stove heated at medium – medium-low.
- You want to slowly heat up the stock. When it is about to come to a boil, quickly remove the kombu from the pot. If the kombu is overcooked it becomes slimy and will result in a slimy and bitter stock.
- Once the kombu has been removed the katsuobushi can be added. Once the stock has come to a boil remove it from the heat and let the katsuobushi sit for five minutes.
- Strain the broth. Press out all the stock with a wooden spoon and a fine mesh sieve or use a cheesecloth.
- You now have Ichiban dashi. You can store it in the fridge, freeze it for later or make miso soup.
Nutrition


Amanda Filipowicz is a certified nutritional practitioner (CNP) with a bachelor in environmental studies (BES) from York University. She also has certification in clinical detoxification, prenatal and postnatal care as well as nutrition for mental health. She has been working as a nutritionist since 2013 and is a lifelong proponent of eating healthy.
Hi Amanda, I have been making this dashi for beverage for extended fasts. I add a tbs of tamari and fish sauce. But according to your nutritional facts it appears that the poached bonito leaves behind some significant protein? Can you confirm this? It is so yummy and full of electrolytes that it could otherwise be a perfect fasting sipping fluid.
Thanks,
Sandy
Hello Sandy. The beverage you make sounds amazing! The way the recipe plug-in I use works is it It calculates the nutritional value of all ingredients used, making soup does change this. As bonito flakes contain protein, a bit might transfer to the stock, but only a small amount. You would have to cook it for a long time to get a significant amount within the stock. There is definitely not 13g of protein per liter of stock.
All the best,
Amanda