Shira ae (白和え) is my favorite traditional Japanese dish. When translated to English it means mashed tofu salad. If you don’t know this Japanese recipe, you are missing out. Why? Because it is healthy, so tasty and super easy to make. So let’s make it.
What is Shira Ae?
Shira ae is a traditional Japanese side dish just like Goma ae. I have explained the meaning of “ae” in the previous Goma ae post. Ae is from the verb Aeru which means to dress vegetables, salad, etc. Now Shira means white which indicates Tofu in this recipe. So vegetables, konjac, and hijiki, etc dressed with creamy tofu is called Shira ae.
Plant-based “Shojin Ryori”
Shira ae is a very typical Buddhist cuisine “Shojin Ryori”. Shojin Ryori is derived from Buddhist devotion. Therefore Shojin Ryori dishes are made from vegetables, grains, and seaweeds avoiding birds, animals, and fish.
Tofu
There are two types of tofu; Firm Tofu (Momen tofu) and Silken tofu (Kinugoshi tofu). I used to use firm tofu for this recipe when I lived in Japan. I liked it because of the texture of the little bits of tofu that remained after making it. Though I have found that the firm tofu overseas is firmer than it is in Japan. So I recommend using Silken tofu if you like a silky smooth and creamy dressing.
Drain moisture from Tofu to make Shira ae
There are a few ways to drain the tofu. Some people cook the tofu in boiling water for about a minute to remove the excess water. Or you could wrap the tofu with some paper towel, place a weight on top of it and leave for about 15-20 minutes.
How to make the Tofu dressing?
A useful piece of Japanese equipment for making tofu dressing is a ceramic mortar and pestle. I use this because I like the chunky texture of Tofu. If you do not own any Japanese mortar and pestle, you can use a food processor instead that will make a really creamy tofu dressing.
Vegetable suggestions
Vegetables typically used in Shiraae are Spinach, carrot, green beans, shimeji mushrooms, edible chrysanthemum, konjac, and seaweeds such as hijiki. These are all delicious with tofu dressings with toasted sesame seeds.
One important tip
You can make the tofu dressing, and prepare vegetables beforehand. However, toss them all together just before serving. This is important because the vegetable ingredients become watery over time and Shiraae becomes soggy. So for that reason, do not mix them and leave it for a long time before eating.
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Shira ae Mashed Tofu Salad 白和え
Video
Ingredients
Tofu dressing
- 150g/5oz Tofu firm or silken
- 2 tbsp roasted white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp salt
Salad vegetables *1
- 60g/2oz Konnyaku
- 30g/1oz carrot
- 1/2 cup edamame soybeans (frozen and without pods)
- 1 tbsp dry hijiki
Instructions
Tofu dressings
- Put paper towel around the tofu and put a weight (like a plate or bowl) on top of the tofu for 15 minutes to take out the excess water.
- In a mortar and pestle, grind the sesame seeds.
- Break the tofu into the mortar and add sugar and salt and mix/grind well.
Vegetables
- Cut the konnyaku, carrot, into bite size pieces and cook them in boiling water for a few minutes.
- Drain them and put aside.
- reconstitute hijiki by leaving them in a bowl of water for about 20 minutes.
- drain the water and squeeze out any excess water. Set it aside.
- When everything is prepared to combine, place them all together in a large mixing bowl and combine them all together, just before serving.
I loved this recipe! The creamy texture of the mashed tofu paired with the vegetables is such a delightful combination. I can’t wait to try making Shira-ae at home. Thank you for the detailed instructions and tips!
I absolutely love the idea of making Shira-ae! Your detailed steps and beautiful photos have inspired me to try it out this weekend. I can already imagine how delicious it will be with all those fresh ingredients. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I absolutely love the look of this Shira-ae! The combination of mashed tofu and vegetables sounds so refreshing. Can’t wait to try making it at home—perfect for a light summer dish! Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe!
I absolutely love this recipe! The combination of flavors in the Shira-ae is so refreshing, and it’s such a great way to enjoy tofu. Can’t wait to try making it myself! Thank you for sharing such an approachable and delicious dish.
I love how you’ve presented the Shira-ae recipe! The combination of mashed tofu and seasonal vegetables sounds so refreshing. I can’t wait to try making it myself and experiment with different toppings. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and healthy dish!
I loved this recipe! Shira-ae has always been one of my favorites but I never knew how to make it at home. Your step-by-step instructions made it so easy to follow, and the addition of sesame paste gave it such a rich flavor. I can’t wait to try it out with my family! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you P999 😀
This Shira-ae recipe looks absolutely delicious! I love how you’ve combined the flavors and textures in the salad. I can’t wait to try making it at home. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful dish!
You are welcome 😀
I loved the detailed recipe for Shira-ae! It sounds both delicious and healthy. I can’t wait to try it out, especially with fresh seasonal vegetables. The tips you shared on achieving the perfect texture for the tofu were super helpful. Thanks for sharing this beautiful dish!
I absolutely love the simplicity of Shira-ae! The way you explained the preparation process made it seem so approachable. I can’t wait to try adding some seasonal veggies to the salad for an extra twist. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
I tried making Shira-ae using your recipe, and it turned out amazing! The combination of the silky tofu with the fresh veggies made for a delightful dish. Thank you for sharing such an easy and delicious recipe! Can’t wait to explore more of your culinary creations!
Thank you y2Mate making Shira ae with my recipe 😀
This Shira-ae recipe looks delicious and so simple to prepare! I love how you’ve highlighted the creamy texture of the mashed tofu and the vibrant flavors from the veggies. Can’t wait to try it out for my next dinner gathering!
I absolutely love the simplicity and freshness of Shira-ae! Your recipe makes it so approachable, and the tips on using seasonal vegetables were really helpful. I can’t wait to try making it for my family – it looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the lovely comment 😀
I tried the Shira-ae recipe from your post, and it was fantastic! The combination of flavors is so refreshing, and it’s a perfect side dish for any meal. Thank you for sharing such a delightful recipe! Can’t wait to explore more of your Japanese-inspired dishes!
Thank you 😀
I really enjoyed reading about the background of this recipe. Thank you for including the background on the origin of the word shiraae and the short background on Buddhist cuisine.
Thank you Michael 😀
super healthy!
yes! 😀
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been trying to find recipes of the dishes I used to eat all the time when I lived in Japan ten years ago, and your website has become an absolute godsend! (Also the BOOKOFF in my town closed, so I cannot get issues of Orange Page or Lettuce Club easily!) 😀 I cannot wait to try this soon; it will be perfect now that it is getting warmer and summer is on its way.
Thank you!
You are welcome Amanda 😀 ohh I miss Orange Page and Lettuce Club too. Yes, Shiraae will be perfect for warmer weather!