Dinner Party · Japanese
Dashi-Simmered Clams with Sake
Elegant, steaming bowl of Manila clams cooked in a light, fragrant broth, capturing the essence of the Japanese coastline.
Why This Works
Steaming clams in dashi and sake creates a double-dose of umami, while the gentle heat ensures the shellfish remains tender rather than rubbery.
The Upgrade
Add a few strands of toasted nori on top to intensify the sea-inspired aromatics.
Chef's Secret
Michelin TechniqueDo not over-simmer the broth once the clams open, as the delicate dashi base can lose its subtle complexity if boiled for too long.
Ingredients
Total time including resting: 25 min
Directions
Scrub clams thoroughly under cold water and discard any that do not close when tapped.
Place dashi, sake, soy sauce, and the piece of kombu in a medium pot.
Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Add the clams, cover the pot tightly, and steam for 5 to 7 minutes.
Remove the lid once all clams have fully opened and discard any that remain closed.
Discard the piece of kombu.
Ladle into deep bowls and garnish with minced mitsuba or parsley before serving hot.
Wine Pairing
Junmai Daiginjo Sake
Sake
The BottleDassai 45
This premium sake features a clean, slightly floral profile that respects the delicate dashi broth. Its silky texture rounds out the briny intensity of the Manila clams.
Make It a Complete Meal
Sides the kitchen recommends alongside this dish.
Side Dish
Cucumber Namasu
Thinly sliced cucumbers pickled in vinegar provide a sharp, acidic contrast to the savory clam broth.
Ingredients
Directions
Toss cucumber slices with salt in a colander and let rest for 10 minutes.
Squeeze the cucumbers firmly with your hands to extract all excess liquid.
Whisk together the rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Combine the cucumbers and dressing, tossing well to coat.
Serve immediately while crisp.
Side Dish
Garlic Toasted Sourdough
Crispy bread is perfect for mopping up every drop of the aromatic sake-dashi broth.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven broiler to high.
Brush both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil.
Place bread on a baking sheet and toast until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side.
Remove from the oven and immediately rub the garlic clove across the surface of each slice.
Spread a thin layer of butter over the toasted surfaces and serve warm.
Member Reviews
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Genuinely can't believe how easy this was for how good it tasted.