Define really good seaweed salad.

[tatamagouche]

It's so often like eating sweetened strands of plastic. But not always. What's the catch?

[kubasd]

to me, it has to have a good mix of different kinds of seaweed, plenty of sesame seeds, the bite of chili pepper, and that great saltiness you get with good seaweed. And it must be tender.

[BamiaWruz]

Good question, I was wondering about the same thing. They usually sell it by the sushi at the supermarket but I usually have it at a japanese restaurant and it's very addictive.

[soypower]

It's gotta be just the right balance of sour (rice vinegar), sweet (sugar) and salty (dashi).

[ipsedixit]

I make seaweed salad with the following:

1. Sesame oil
2. Diced garlic
3. Chili flakes
4. Rice wine vinegar
5. Soy sauce
6. Sugar

Combine, and toss with seaweed, chill in fridge overnight, then garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Good seaweed salad needs to have sweet and savory, and have a nice smokiness from the sesame oil and seeds. And the seaweed needs to be a bit chewy, but soft and never rubbery.

[kubasd]

yes, exactly what i'm looking for in a seaweed salad..... although i prefer the tiny red rings of chilis instead of the flakes

[tatamagouche]

I think your description of the texture nails it in my own mind.

[kubasd]

this thread prompted me to have a dinner of seaweed salad and calamari salad last night... sooooo good!

[divya]

newbie query
what seaweed u recommend
( i know only of wakame)

[Atahualpa]

There are so many types of seaweed salad that a single answer is not possible.

My favourite is Hijiki (or Arame if you're concerned about the arsenic levels in hijiki) with shreaded carrot, and inari pouches (abura age) in a soy based dressing.

I also don't mind pure wakame with a sesame and miso dressing.

I have only rarely had a seaweed salad with a mix of seaweed before. Nor, have I had much seaweed salad with chili.