Kinpira Gobo (Sweet Soy Burdock and Carrot)

Name: Kinpira Gobo (Sweet Soy Burdock and Carrot)
Total time: 25 min
Yield: Serves 2–3
Ingredients: Burdock root (gobo) 1 (about 150 g); Carrot 1/3 (about 50 g); Toasted white sesame seeds 1 tsp; Sliced dried red chili A pinch; Sesame oil 1 tbsp; Soy sauce 1 1/2 tbsp; Sugar 1 tbsp; Mirin (sweet rice seasoning) 1 tbsp; Sake (Japanese rice wine) 1 tbsp; Scrub brush (or a ball of crumpled foil) 1

🌱 VeganNo meat, fish, eggs, dairy, honey or bonito dashi

Serves 2–3 · About 25 min
A classic side dish of burdock and carrot stir-fried in a sweet and salty sauce. It keeps about 3 days in the fridge, so it's good to make ahead.

① Wash the burdock→② Cut thin and soak in water→③ Stir-fry in sesame oil→④ Add seasonings and cook down→⑤ Sprinkle sesame seeds

What to buy

Vegetables

Burdock root (gobo)Pre-washed burdock means less work removing dirt1 (about 150 g)Carrot1/3 (about 50 g)

Seasonings & dry goods

Toasted white sesame seeds1 tspSliced dried red chiliOnly if you want it spicyA pinch

Check what you already have

Sesame oil1 tbspSoy sauce1 1/2 tbspSugar1 tbspMirin (sweet rice seasoning)1 tbspSake (Japanese rice wine)1 tbspScrub brush (or a ball of crumpled foil)1

Tap an item to check it off (checks clear when you close the page).

How to make it

Wash the burdock and scrape off the skin

About 3 min

While washing the burdock under water, scrub the surface with a scrub brush
Lightly scrape the surface with the back of a knife (the side without the blade) to remove the rest of the skin

How to tell it's doneThe dirt is off and you can see the whitish inside here and there. It's OK if not all the skin is off (the flavor is near the skin).

Cut thin and soak in water

Cut about 8 min + soak 5 min

Cut the burdock into 5 cm lengths, slice thinly lengthwise, then cut into thin strips (about as thick as a matchstick)
As you cut, put the pieces into a bowl of water, and soak 5 min
Cut the carrot into the same 5 cm long thin strips (do not soak in water)
Drain the burdock in a colander

How to tell it's doneThe water in the bowl has turned light brown. This is harsh-tasting stuff from the burdock, so it's OK to throw away.

Be carefulIf you soak it too long, the burdock loses its flavor. About 5 min is enough.

Stir-fry in sesame oil

Medium heatAbout 4 min

Put 1 tbsp sesame oil in a frying pan and heat on medium heat
Add the burdock and stir-fry 2 min
Add the carrot and stir-fry 2 min more
If using chili pepper, add it now

How to tell it's doneThe burdock is a little see-through and the carrot is getting soft.

Add seasonings and stir-fry until the liquid is gone

Medium heatAbout 3–4 min

Add 1 tbsp sake, 1 tbsp mirin and 1 tbsp sugar and mix
Add 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
Keep stirring with a spatula and stir-fry until the liquid is gone
Taste it, and if the burdock is hard, add 1 tbsp water and stir-fry 1 more min

How to tell it's doneNo liquid collects on the bottom even when you tilt the pan, and the burdock and carrot look shiny.

Be carefulIt burns easily as the liquid disappears. Keep stirring without stopping for the last 1 min.

Finish with sesame seeds

Heat offRight away

Turn off the heat, sprinkle 1 tsp toasted white sesame seeds and mix
Serve

ReadyTasty warm or cold. Once cool, put leftovers in a container with a lid and keep in the fridge. Eat within about 3 days.

📚 Learn more about this dish

🥬 Ingredient guide

Sesame oil Mirin Shoyu (soy sauce)

🔪 Cutting & cooking tips

Heat levels (high, medium, low)Hoso-giri (thin strips)Wa-giri (rounds)

If it didn't work out

The burdock is hardThe pieces were cut too thick, or it was not stir-fried long enough. Add 1 tbsp water, put on a lid, and cook 1–2 min on low heat.

Too salty or strongThere was too much soy sauce, or it is starting to burn. Next time, use 1 tbsp soy sauce and add more while tasting.

It's mushyIt was not drained enough in step 2, or liquid was left in step 4. Next time, drain well in a colander and stir-fry until the liquid is gone.

Bitter or tastes burntIn step 4 you stopped stirring while the heat was still strong. Next time, turn to medium-low heat when the liquid starts to go down.

Was this recipe helpful?

This site is free with no ads. If you like, you can support it with a tip.

☕ Send a tip Choose how many cups. Everything stays free to read.

Made by YUU, a teen who loves cooking → About me