Sesame Arctic Char Donabe

Name: Sesame Arctic Char Donabe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 pieces kombu; 6 oz dried soba noodles; 2 tsp toasted sesame oil; 1 oz bonito flakes; 1 bunch scallions; ⅓ cup mirin; 2 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 to taste Kosher salt; 1 lb skinless arctic char fillet; 2 small turnips; 1 small daikon; 6 oz enoki mushrooms; 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

A sophisticated Japanese-inspired dish featuring tender arctic char and vegetables simmered in fragrant dashi broth, served over soba noodles. This comforting one-pot meal combines the delicate flavors of fish with umami-rich bonito, kombu, and seasonal vegetables.

4 servings

1 hr 50 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•2 pieces kombu
•6 oz dried soba noodles
•2 tsp toasted sesame oil
•1 oz bonito flakes
•1 bunch scallions
•⅓ cup mirin
•2 Tbsp soy sauce
•1 to taste Kosher salt
•1 lb skinless arctic char fillet
•2 small turnips
•1 small daikon
•6 oz enoki mushrooms
•2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Cooking Instructions

1.
Combine kombu and 4 1/2 cups cold water in a medium saucepan. Let sit until kombu is pliable, 25-30 minutes.
30 min
2.
Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water and toss noodles in a medium bowl with 2 tsp. oil. Divide among serving bowls and set aside.
15 min
3.
Bring kombu mixture to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove pan from heat. Lift out kombu from broth with tongs and discard. Add bonito flakes to broth and stir once to moisten. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium, then reduce heat and simmer very gently 5 minutes. Let sit off heat 15 minutes. Strain dashi through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof measuring glass or a medium bowl; discard solids. (You should have about 4 cups.)
35 min
4.
While the dashi is infusing, remove the dark green tops of the scallions from the white bulbs. Thinly slice tops and set aside for serving. Slice bulbs on a diagonal into 1/2" pieces; set aside.
5 min
5.
Pour dashi into a large donabe or skillet and add mirin and soy sauce; season with salt. Place fish in the center of the skillet and arrange turnips, daikon, mushrooms, and reserved scallion bulbs around fish. Heat over low until liquid is steaming but not bubbling (simmering will make the liquid cloudy; reduce the heat if needed). Cook until fish looks opaque all across the surface, 10-15 minutes. Remove donabe from heat and let rest 5 minutes.
20 min
6.
To serve, sprinkle sesame seeds and reserved scallion tops over fish and vegetables and drizzle with more oil. Break fish into smaller pieces and divide among reserved noodle bowls. Ladle vegetables and dashi over.
5 min
7.
Dashi can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

Sesame Arctic Char Donabe

4 servings

1 hr 50 min

Published October 4, 2025

Be the first to rate this recipe

Cooking Instructions

Combine kombu and 4 1/2 cups cold water in a medium saucepan. Let sit until kombu is pliable, 25-30 minutes.

30 min

Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water and toss noodles in a medium bowl with 2 tsp. oil. Divide among serving bowls and set aside.

15 min

Bring kombu mixture to a boil over medium heat, then immediately remove pan from heat. Lift out kombu from broth with tongs and discard. Add bonito flakes to broth and stir once to moisten. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium, then reduce heat and simmer very gently 5 minutes. Let sit off heat 15 minutes. Strain dashi through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof measuring glass or a medium bowl; discard solids. (You should have about 4 cups.)

35 min

While the dashi is infusing, remove the dark green tops of the scallions from the white bulbs. Thinly slice tops and set aside for serving. Slice bulbs on a diagonal into 1/2" pieces; set aside.

5 min

Pour dashi into a large donabe or skillet and add mirin and soy sauce; season with salt. Place fish in the center of the skillet and arrange turnips, daikon, mushrooms, and reserved scallion bulbs around fish. Heat over low until liquid is steaming but not bubbling (simmering will make the liquid cloudy; reduce the heat if needed). Cook until fish looks opaque all across the surface, 10-15 minutes. Remove donabe from heat and let rest 5 minutes.

20 min

To serve, sprinkle sesame seeds and reserved scallion tops over fish and vegetables and drizzle with more oil. Break fish into smaller pieces and divide among reserved noodle bowls. Ladle vegetables and dashi over.

5 min

Dashi can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.