Japanese Spinach with Sweet Sesame Seeds

Rating: 3.81 stars
27 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 5
  • 4 star values: 15
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 3
  • 1 star values: 0

You will need a Japanese mortar and pestle (suribachi and surikogi) for this recipe, as the sweet flavor of the roasted sesame is most intense when ground. This can also be made with asparagus instead of spinach.

By Bitchin Kitchen
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Ingredients

6
Original recipe yields 6 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the spinach 3 to 4 cups at a time. Cook and stir to wilt, then add more spinach.

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  • Grind the sesame seeds into fine crumbs using a mortar and pestle. When spinach is wilted, move it to the sides of the pan and sprinkle sugar in the center. When the sugar melts, stir in the spinach to coat.

  • Transfer spinach to a serving plate and sprinkle ground sesame seeds on top.

To toast sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread sesame seeds on a dry baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until fragrant.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
101.4 calories; 3.4 g protein; 6.7 g carbohydrates; 0 mg cholesterol; 66.5 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (20)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

Gill Ian
Rating: 5 stars
12/11/2009
I made some adjustments based on others' comments and we LOVED this dish! I wilted the spinach in 1 tbsp EACH of soy sauce and water. Once wilted I added a dash of garlic powder onion powder and fresh ground pepper to the remaining liquid in the pan. Then I added the sesame seed oil and sesame seeds. Very good! Read More
Helpful
(7)

Most helpful critical review

Kym Cox Surridge
Rating: 2 stars
08/10/2006
I'm sorry to say this was disappointing. It sounded delicious but it ended up lacking flavor. For me the sweetness just didn't go well with the spinach; it needed some saltiness such as soy sauce to balance it out. Plus cooking the spinach in sesame oil seems to be a waste because I couldn't taste it. I think it would work better to wilt the spinach in a dry skillet and add the sesame oil at the end for flavoring. Unfortunately even the ground sesame seeds didn't work well: They ended up getting soggy sitting on the sauteed spinach. My boyfriend who loves spinach didn't care for this either. I think this might be better with some modifications either baked or as a salad. Thanks anyway. Read More
Helpful
(7)
27 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 5
  • 4 star values: 15
  • 3 star values: 4
  • 2 star values: 3
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Gill Ian
Rating: 5 stars
12/11/2009
I made some adjustments based on others' comments and we LOVED this dish! I wilted the spinach in 1 tbsp EACH of soy sauce and water. Once wilted I added a dash of garlic powder onion powder and fresh ground pepper to the remaining liquid in the pan. Then I added the sesame seed oil and sesame seeds. Very good! Read More
Helpful
(7)
Kym Cox Surridge
Rating: 2 stars
08/10/2006
I'm sorry to say this was disappointing. It sounded delicious but it ended up lacking flavor. For me the sweetness just didn't go well with the spinach; it needed some saltiness such as soy sauce to balance it out. Plus cooking the spinach in sesame oil seems to be a waste because I couldn't taste it. I think it would work better to wilt the spinach in a dry skillet and add the sesame oil at the end for flavoring. Unfortunately even the ground sesame seeds didn't work well: They ended up getting soggy sitting on the sauteed spinach. My boyfriend who loves spinach didn't care for this either. I think this might be better with some modifications either baked or as a salad. Thanks anyway. Read More
Helpful
(7)
Georgia Pankey
Rating: 4 stars
01/10/2008
I OMITTED THE BROWN SUGAR AND ALSO USED SOY SAUCE. I PUT ONE TABLESPOON OF WATER IN PAN THEN THE SPINACH TO WILT DOWN A BIT THEN ADDED THE SESAME SEEDS CRUSHED WITH THE OIL. CAME OUT GREAT. TWO OF MY FAVORITES. SESAME SEEDS AND SPINACH. Read More
Helpful
(7)
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heidi
Rating: 4 stars
06/23/2007
Great as a burger topping! Read More
Helpful
(4)
Mary
Rating: 4 stars
09/25/2006
I made this with asparagus and it was a hit. Be generous with the sesame seeds and don't skip the mortar and pestle step. Read More
Helpful
(4)
LINDA MCLEAN
Rating: 3 stars
01/25/2007
I honestly don't even know how to rate this because while reading the recipe I loved the whole sesame oil and seed thing; however the sugar totally turned me off and I knew that my family would not be pleased with sweet spinach. I replaced the sugar with soy sauce and added garlic and onion powders and black pepper. With these changes we all thought it was a fantastic side. Thank you for a great starting point! Read More
Helpful
(3)
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AngelicDagger
Rating: 5 stars
12/08/2008
This is very oriental and I know its close to how koreans prepare the spinach for every meal. I changed a few things I added soy sauce and changed the amounts of everything. Grinding up the sesame seeds is Not necessary though =) Easy side item! Read More
Helpful
(3)
GCPate
Rating: 4 stars
04/23/2007
Picky husband loved it - what more needs to be said! Read More
Helpful
(2)
Kristie
Rating: 4 stars
01/30/2007
Easy and very tasty. I had trouble with the sugar - it didn't melt until I mixed it in with the spinach. Had I known that I wouldn't have let the spinach wilt any further while I tried to melt the sugar. Read More
Helpful
(2)
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