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What is Simmered Kiriboshi Daikon?

Kiriboshi Daikon no Nimono (切り干し大根の煮物) is a side dish made with rehydrated strips of daikon radish simmered in a Japanese broth with carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and satsuma-age (fried fish cake) or aburaage (twice-fried tofu).

I would say the taste is usually a little sweet with a touch of dashi, so it goes well with any rice dishes. It’s one of the most popular side dishes at home in Japan.

Kiriboshi daikon itself is a type of dried daikon radish sliced into thin strips and may be labeled as “dried radish.”

In Western Japan, it is known as “sengiri daikon,” which translates to “julienned daikon.” The strips are typically 1-2mm thick. Prior to use, kiriboshi daikon should be washed and soaked lightly to rehydrate and soften it.

Simmered kiriboshi daikon (dried daikon shredded daikon)

Ingredients & Substitution Ideas

simmered kiriboshi daikon ingredients with labels on a white background

Dried Shredded Daikon Radish (Kiriboshi Daikon): This is a crucial ingredient for the dish. I have to note that raw fresh radish is not a suitable substitute.
Sesame Oil: I recommend Kadoya’s sesame oil to impart marinades a delicate flavor.
Vegetables: I used carrots and shiitake mushrooms.
Satsumaage Fishcake: This is a type of Japanese fried fishcake. If you can’t find it, fried tofu pouch (aburaae) is a recommended alternative.
Soy Sauce: For a deeper dive into selecting the perfect soy sauce for Japanese dishes, refer to my comprehensive soy sauce guide.
Mirin: When shopping for mirin, “hon mirin” (本みりん) is the gold standard for flavor.
Sugar: While any standard sugar is acceptable, I prefer light brown cane sugar in many of my recipes.
Sake: If sake is unavailable, white wine or dry sherry can be used as substitutes.
White Sesame Seeds: These are optional but can be used as a garnish for added texture and aesthetics.

Switch the fishcake (satsuma-age) for deep-fried tofu pouches (aburaage) or even thinly sliced firm tofu to make this dish suitable for vegetarians and vegans!

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Visual Walkthrough & Tips

Here are my step-by-step instructions for how to make Kiriboshi Daikon at home. For ingredient quantities and simplified instructions, scroll down for the Printable Recipe Card below.

STEP

Wash the kiriboshi daikon

washing dried shredded daikon (kiriboshi daikon) in a bowl of water

Place the kiriboshi daikon in a bowl of cold water and rub it gently to remove any dust or debris. Drain and repeat 3 times in total to ensure it’s properly cleaned.

STEP

Soak

Once thoroughly washed, add fresh water and soak for 20 minutes to rehydrate.

STEP

Save the liquid

After 20 minutes, remove the kiriboshi daikon from the water and set aside for later.

The leftover liquid is a kiriboshi-daikon soup stock and is sometimes used as “vegetarian soup stock” at temples in Japan. It’s really a waste to throw it away. It’s packed with umami so there’s no reason not to use it!

STEP

Cut

If the kiriboshi daikon pieces are too long, cut them into thirds using scissors. This will make it easier to eat.

STEP

Fry the other ingredients

julienned carrots and thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms and satsuma-age fishcakes frying in a pan

Heat a large pan on medium and add a drizzle of sesame oil. Once hot, add julienned carrots and thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms and satsuma-age (Japanese fishcakes). Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Frying the ingredients in oil first will improve the texture, and then simmering will give it a richer flavor.

STEP

Add the kiriboshi daikon

adding rehydrated kiriboshi daikon to the pan

Add the kiriboshi daikon and stir fry for 1 minute.

kiriboshi daikon simmering in condiments

Add the leftover daikon broth from earlier along with soy sauce, mirin and light brown sugar. Mix until evenly distributed and then simmer over a medium heat until the liquid is gone.

Once the simmering liquid is gone, add the sake and stir fry for 1-2 minutes or until the liquid is gone once more.

STEP

Serve

You can leave it to cool or serve it hot depending on your preference. Divide into serving dishes and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Tip

If you leave the simmered kiriboshi daikon to cool down first, the flavors soak deeper into the ingredients and create a better taste overall.

Enjoy!

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How to Store

Leftover kiriboshi daikon can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

It can also be frozen for up to 3 weeks. Frozen leftovers should be divided into portions, wrapped with plastic wrap and then stored in an airtight container like a lunchbox or ziplock bag.

The dish itself can be enjoyed hot or cold so it’s up to you whether you want to reheat it or not.

Storage summary

Room temperature – Not recommended.

Refrigerated – 4-5 days.

Frozen – Up to 3 weeks.

I hope you enjoy this Simmered Kiriboshi Daikon recipe! If you try it out, I’d really appreciate it if you could spare a moment to let me know what you thought by giving a review and star rating in the comments below. It’s also helpful to share any adjustments you made to the recipe with our other readers. Thank you!