Tokyo Abura (v) Recipe

Infuse oil

In a small heavy saucepan combine neutral oil and sesame oil. Warm over medium-low heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2–3 minutes).

Remove pan from heat. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, and dried chili flakes to the hot oil carefully (it will sizzle). Let sit for 2 minutes to soften and bloom the aromatics, stirring gently so they don’t burn.

Stir in toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Taste and adjust salt or sugar if needed. Let cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Transfer to a small jar and set aside; oil can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare cabbage and carrot: place shredded cabbage and julienned carrot in a large bowl. Lightly season with 1/4 tsp salt and toss. Let sit 5 minutes, then squeeze gently to remove a bit of excess moisture. This keeps the salad crisp.

Prepare menma and wakame: if using jarred menma, drain and pat dry. Reconstitute dried wakame in warm water 5–7 minutes, drain and squeeze out excess water. Roughly chop wakame if large.

Prepare scallions and ginger: slice scallions thinly, keeping whites and greens separate. Julienne the additional ginger into matchsticks for a fresh bite.

Divide the cabbage and carrot mixture among 4 shallow bowls (about 3/4–1 cup per bowl).

Top each bowl with 2 tablespoons menma, about 1 tablespoon wakame, a small mound of scallion whites, and a few ginger matchsticks.

Make a shallow well in the center of each bowl and carefully place one raw egg yolk (or 1/4 cup soft tofu cubes for vegan). If using yolks, handle carefully to avoid breakage.

Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chili-garlic abura over the vegetables and yolk in each bowl (adjust to heat preference). Use more oil for a richer, spicier bowl; reserve extra on the side.

Sprinkle scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds over each bowl, finish with a light grind of black pepper and, if desired, thin strips of toasted nori.

To eat: mix the yolk into the vegetables and oil to form a glossy, spicy dressing coating all components. Serve immediately.