Okra Ohitashi is a simple, light, and flavorful Japanese side dish of blanched okras in a soy sauce-based marinade. Prepare it ahead of time, so you can serve this salad instantly for dinner.

Okra Ohitashi (Japanese Okra Salad)

INGREDIENTS

• 10 Okras
• ½ tsp kosher/sea salt (I use Diamond Crystal; Use half for table salt)
• Katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) (optional topping; omit for vegetarian/vegan)

Marinade

• 1 cup dashi (click to learn more about this soup stock) (240 ml; Use Kombu Dashi for vegetarian/vegan. Here are 3 ways to make dashi. I usually make Awase Dashi (kombu & katsuobushi dashi).
• 2 Tbsp usukuchi (light-color) soy sauce (Or use regular soy sauce. Tip: Use Usukuchi Soy Sauce when you want to keep the broth/sauce color lighter in color.)
• 2 Tbsp mirin

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Gather all the ingredients.
   
2. Cut off the tail end of okras. Peel off the hard part around okra end shown in the picture below.
3. They should look like this. Tip: If you cut the end completely, water gets inside.
4. Bring enough water to a boil. Sprinkle kosher salt over okras and rub gently on the cutting board. Tip: This brings out the bright color of any green vegetables (such as cucumbers) and removes the bitter taste.
5. Once the water has come to a boil, put in the okras (without removing the salt) in the boiling water and blanch for 1-2 minutes.
6. Drain and let cool the okras in iced water. As soon as they are cool, remove from the water and squeeze gently to remove excess water. Set aside.
7. In a small saucepan, add mirin and let the alcohol evaporate for 1-2 minutes.
8. When there is no more alcohol smell, add dashi and soy sauce. Once it boils, turn off the heat and set aside.
9. Transfer the okras to a shallow glass baking dish. Pour the marinade into the dish while the marinade is still warm. Let steep at room temperature for at least 1-2 hours before serving.

To Serve

1. Plate okras on a serving dish, drizzle some marinade over the okras, and sprinkle katsuobushi. You can serve it at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy it within 2 days.

https://www.justonecookbook.com/okra-ohitashi/