Wakame seaweed and silver bait side dish

wakame chirimen jako

Wakame seaweed has a subtle sweetness that lends a nice contrast to the saltiness of the silver bait used in this side dish. 

Serves 4 

• Wakame seaweed 60 g (2 oz)
• White sesame seeds 2 tsp
• Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
• Dried silver bait (chirimen jako) 45 g (1 1/2 oz), soaked in water for 15 minutes and drained
• Sake 2 tsp
• Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) 2 tsp

1. Rinse wakame seaweed in water to remove excess salt. Drain well and cut into 4-cm (1 1/2-in) lengths. 
2. Toast white sesame seeds in a non-stick frying pan without adding oil. Remove from heat once sesame seeds are brown and fragrant. 
3. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan and cook silver bait until fragrant. Add wakame seaweed and toss well. 
4. Add sake and soy sauce and toss well. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with toasted white sesame seeds. Serve immediately.