A plate adorned with the vibrant colors of spring, as if blossoms have bloomed right on your table. Shades of pink, green, and yellow create a scene reminiscent of a serene countryside in spring. While classic chirashizushi toppings often include shiitake mushrooms and shredded egg, using seasonal ingredients like bamboo shoots, canola flowers, and broad beans brings the joy of the season to every bite.

Preparing these delicate ingredients can be time-consuming, but with dashi and the chef’s expertise, the process becomes effortlessly simple. This dish is gently finished with Kayanoya Original Kelp Stock Powder, embracing the delicate flavors of spring.

Chef Ozaki, What Is the Key to Making Delicious Chirashizushi?

When making sushi rice, quickly and evenly mix the sushi vinegar while the rice is still warm. This allows the vinegar to be fully absorbed, resulting in flavorful and delicious rice.

Delicately Seasoning Canola Flowers with Mellow Kelp Stock Powder (Step 1)

Instead of soaking in dashi or using additional seasonings, simply coating the canola flowers with kelp stock powder enhances their natural flavor. Made with Ma-kombu and Rishiri-kombu, Kayanoya Original Kelp Stock Powder is incredibly delicate, bringing out an elegant and refined taste.

Cooking Dashi-Infused Rice with the Remaining Kelp Stock Powder (Step 3)

Let’s cook rice with the remaining half of the kelp stock powder. The umami gently infuses each grain, creating a delicately flavored dashi-infused rice. Its subtle depth enhances the taste of seasonal spring ingredients, making them even more delicious.

Seasoning Bamboo Shoots, Shrimp, and Egg Together in Mentsuyu (Step 2)

Chef Ozaki has simplified the preparation process so it can be easily done at home. Typically, each ingredient requires separate seasoning, but this time, they are simply marinated together in Mentsuyu (Noodle Soup Base). For a light and refined flavor, about two hours is sufficient, while marinating for up to 12 hours will create a deeper, more robust taste.

Presentation Matters for Chirashizushi Too

Chirashizushi is often served on celebratory occasions, making its presentation just as important as its flavor.

To create a beautiful arrangement, distribute the colors evenly across the dish and add variations in height. For ingredients like bamboo shoots, alternating the direction of the tips—some pointing left, others right—adds a natural sense of movement and enhances the visual appeal.

Refreshing spring vegetables and delicate Kayanoya Original Kelp Stock Powder come together to create a dish that celebrates the season’s awakening. With its vibrant colors and gentle flavors, it brings a touch of brightness to the table.