Shiokonbu Mayo Fried Rice Recipe: A Must-Try Japanese Souvenir

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Have you noticed a certain Japanese ingredient taking over social media lately?

It's none other than S-H-I-O-K-O-N-B-U!

It's become incredibly popular with Korean tourists – so much so that

supermarkets in Osaka's Namba district, often frequented by travelers,

have even set up dedicated shiokonbu displays right in their main aisles!

Traditionally in Japan, shiokonbu is often used as a seasoning or a side dish,

so I was really surprised to see it gain such immense popularity in Korea!

Lately, a plethora of recipes using shiokonbu have been popping up in Korea,

and you can even easily find Japanese shiokonbu on popular online food markets like Market Kurly,

making it much more accessible now than it used to be!

In Japan, shiokonbu is typically enjoyed in onigiri (rice balls)

or as an accompaniment to dishes like cucumber salad or other fresh salads.

Today, I stumbled upon a super popular recipe on social media and decided to try it out,

and oh my goodness, it was absolutely delicious!

Introducing: Shiokonbu Mayonnaise Fried Rice!

Now, I know what you might be thinking – the name alone sounds a little unconventional, right?

You might even wonder if this combination could possibly work together

(I totally did, too, haha!)

Shiokonbu + Mayonnaise + Egg + Rice

But to my surprise, they are a match made in heaven!

The rich creaminess of mayonnaise, combined with the unique savory-salty flavor of shiokonbu

and the deep umami of kelp, creates an explosion of taste.

You won't even need many other seasonings to achieve an incredibly flavorful fried rice!

And the best part? It's incredibly simple to make!

Meet the Shiokonbu We're Using Today

In Japanese, shiokonbu is written as 塩昆布 (しおこんぶ).

Simply put, it’s best described as seasoned salted kelp.

It's an ingredient made from thinly sliced kelp, seasoned with salt, soy sauce, and other delicious additions

to create a wonderfully savory flavor.

You can simply enjoy it by sprinkling a little on top of rice,

or use it to add a burst of umami and seasoning to various dishes.

Shiokonbu Mayonnaise Fried Rice Recipe

Ingredients

1 serving cooked rice

About 10-15g shiokonbu

A dash of minced garlic

1 egg

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

A splash of cooking oil

Super simple ingredients, right?

Since you likely have rice and eggs at home already, just grab some shiokonbu, and you're good to go!

It's the perfect dish for those days when your fridge looks a little bare.

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STEP 1. Start by stir-frying the mayonnaise and shiokonbu

In a pan, add 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise and the shiokonbu. Cook slowly over medium-low heat, gently stir-frying.

As the mayonnaise melts, a rich, savory aroma will begin to waft up,

and the incredible umami of the shiokonbu will naturally infuse into the mayonnaise.

You’ll notice that delightful savory-salty fragrance emerging even at this stage!

STEP 2. Elevate the flavor with a dash of minced garlic

Once the mayonnaise and shiokonbu have blended beautifully, it’s time to add the minced garlic and continue stir-frying.

As the garlic cooks, its pungent, aromatic notes will perfectly complement the savory base, adding a deeper layer of flavor to your fried rice.

Just cook it until the garlic starts to turn a light golden – you don't want it to burn!

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STEP 3. Add the cooked rice and stir-fry until well combined

Now, add in your serving of cooked rice.

Using a spatula, break up any clumps and stir-fry thoroughly, ensuring the mayonnaise, shiokonbu,

and garlic are evenly coated on every single grain of rice.

For an even tastier result, continue to stir-fry until the rice starts to lightly crisp at the bottom of the pan and becomes delightfully fluffy and separate.

(Full disclosure: I actually forgot to add the garlic earlier and tossed it in with the rice at this step – sometimes kitchen mishaps lead to delicious outcomes! ;;;)

STEP 4. Drizzle in a touch of cooking oil

Once the rice is looking nicely stir-fried, add a small drizzle of cooking oil around the pan.

This little addition helps the rice grains become even fluffier and gives them a beautiful glossy sheen, more so than if you only used mayonnaise.

Just a splash is all you need – no need to overdo it!

STEP 5. Finally, add the egg for the grand finale!

For the final touch, add the egg and quickly stir-fry everything together.

As the egg cooks and mixes evenly throughout the rice, it adds a lovely soft texture and another layer of savory richness.

Once the egg is perfectly cooked and the rice grains are wonderfully fluffy and separated, your dish is complete!

With the creamy richness of mayonnaise, the savory umami punch of shiokonbu,

and the delightful aromas of garlic and egg all coming together...

This is Shio Kombu Mayonnaise Fried Rice.

Even without adding much extra soy sauce or salt,

the fact that you can achieve a wonderfully deep flavor thanks to the shio kombu

is the key highlight of this fried rice.

STEP 6. Shio Kombu Mayonnaise Fried Rice Complete!

Ta-da! Isn't it incredibly simple?!!

Your Shio Kombu Mayonnaise Fried Rice is now complete.

Take a bite, and you'll first feel

the rich, savory taste of mayonnaise,

then, the distinct salty and

deep umami flavor of shio kombu follows.

It's a completely different flavor from fried rice seasoned solely with soy sauce.

Especially, the chewy texture of the shio kombu

adds an interesting delightful pop of texture throughout.

It's hard to describe it further, but

you absolutely must try making it!

It's truly delicious!!!😋😋😋

Shio Kombu: Why Is It So Popular?

Honestly, since I've used this ingredient regularly,

I didn't quite understand at first why

it became so popular.

But I think the biggest reason is its simplicity.

If you have just shio kombu, when you cook,

you don't need to prepare a lot of different seasonings.

Add it to rice, and it becomes a rice ball;

add it to cucumbers, and it's a simple side dish;

add it to fried rice, and it's a seasoning that boosts umami;

you can even use it in udon or pasta.

So, once you buy it,

you'll find yourself using it more often than you might expect.

The reason why various recipes utilizing shio kombu are being introduced in Korea these days

is probably due to these very characteristics: its simplicity and versatility.

Pros and Cons of Shio Kombu

👍 Pros of Shio Kombu

1. Easily adds umami flavor

This is shio kombu's greatest charm.

Even a small amount adds a salty taste and

umami to your dish.

2. Highly versatile

It can be used in a variety of dishes, including not just fried rice, but also rice balls, cucumber salad, pasta, udon, and more.

3. Easy to cook with

There's no need to make a separate broth or prepare various seasonings;

just add as much as you need, making it incredibly convenient.

👀 Any Cons?

The first thing to consider is definitely its saltiness.

Since shio kombu is inherently a salty ingredient,

adding too much can easily make your dish overly salty.

So, if you're using it for the first time, I recommend adding it little by little

to adjust the seasoning.

Also, since the ingredients and

allergy information can vary by product,

it's important to check the product label when purchasing.

First-timers, Start with Fried Rice!

If you're buying shio kombu for the first time, rather than a complex dish,

I'd recommend starting with the Shio Kombu Mayonnaise Fried Rice we introduced today.

The ingredients are simple,

the cooking process isn't difficult,

and most importantly, it's a great way to truly experience the flavor of shio kombu.

And once you've made and enjoyed the fried rice,

you'll naturally find yourself thinking, “Should I try adding this to cucumbers?”

“Next time, maybe I'll make rice balls?”

and reaching for it for other dishes. 😆

Easily Available in Korea Too!

In the past, it felt like something you'd pick up from the food section

when traveling to Japan,

but these days, you can easily find it online in Korea, which has made things much more convenient.

In particular, Market Kurly also sells the Japanese shio kombu product that I used today.

If you're trying shio kombu for the first time,

it's a good idea to try a small package first,

and if you think, “Hey, this goes well with more things than I expected!”

then you might want to choose a larger size next time.

Another advantage of shio kombu is that you don't need a large quantity

for each use, so you can make it last longer than you might think.

Shio Kombu: The Hot Japanese Ingredient Everyone's Talking About!

Shio Kombu, which has started appearing more and more in Korea lately.

At first, the name might be unfamiliar, and you might feel unsure how

to use it, but once you try it, it's actually much simpler than you'd imagine.

It's delicious when added to rice,

delicious when mixed with cucumbers,

and delicious when made into fried rice with mayonnaise, just like today.

It's an especially appealing ingredient for those who think, “I want to add umami flavor easily.”

After making and eating this fried rice myself, I now understand why shio kombu

is being talked about so much in Korea these days.

If you love Japanese ingredients,

or are always looking for simple home-cooked meal recipes,

then seize this opportunity to get some shio kombu!

Search for shio kombu on Market Kurly,

and how about a simple Shio Kombu Mayonnaise Fried Rice for dinner tonight? 🍳🍚

Purchase shio kombu from the link below⬇️⬇️⬇️

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