Kinpira Gobo (Japanese Burdock Root and Carrot)

Kinpira Gobo (Japanese Burdock Root and Carrot)

Kinpira Gobo is a classic Japanese side dish made with thinly sliced burdock root and carrots stir-fried in a sweet-and-savory sauce. The earthy, nutty flavor of gobo and its irresistible crunch make this simple vegetable dish a delicious addition to everyday Japanese meals. It's also perfect for meal prep and bento boxes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Japanese

Servings servings

Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients

200 g gobo (about 1-2 medium roots) cut into matchsticks
100 g carrots (about 2-3 small carrots or ⅔ Jumbo carrot) cut into matchsticks
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons maple syrup You can also use granulated sugar.
2 Tablespoons sake
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
A dash red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the gobo. Rinse the gobo well under running water. Then, scrub the surface of the gobo with a crumpled piece of aluminum foil to lightly remove the outer skin. The color of the gobo looks lighter where the skin has been removed. You don’t need to remove the skin completely, because much of its earthy aroma comes from the outer skin.
Cut the gobo and carrots. Diagonally slice the gobo and carrots into thin ovals. Then cut the slices lengthwise into matchsticks.
Stir-fry. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add gobo and carrots. Add red pepper flakes if you’re using it. Stir-fry until they are well coated with oil, about 1-2 minutes.
Add seasonings. Stir in soy sauce, maple syrup, and sake. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the sauce is reduced and the gobo and carrots become shiny, for 5-10 minutes.
Serve. Stir in sesame seeds and remove from the heat. Let cool for 10 minutes. Divide into serving bowls and enjoy.

Notes

Note 1: The outer skin is rich in an irresistible, nutty aroma. But it can be too earthy if you leave it as is. So you want to lightly remove the skin without removing it completely. I like to use a crumpled piece of aluminum foil to lightly scrub the surface. This helps remove dirt and the thin outer layer while preserving its characteristic flavor.

Please note that the nutritional information provided is just an estimate, and accuracy is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 1048mgPotassium: 557mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 8368IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg

Keyword carrots, gobo, Healthy Meal, vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!