Goma Dare

A Japanese sesame sauce, goma dare is ridiculously tasty no matter how you use it. There are some great premade versions, but it’s also quite simple to make yourself if you’re so inclined.

Goma dare is most ubiquitous as a dipping sauce served alongside shabu shabu, the hot pot where thinly-sliced meat and vegetables — especially succulent beef — is swished into simmering water briefly to cook. Shabu shabu is also often served alongside soy sauce, ponzu sauce, and other garnishes for diners to mix and match as they please, but goma dare is the heartiest of them all.

This sauce is creamy, nutty, and a little bit sweet and savory all at once, making it delicious not just on shabu shabu, but alongside a whole array of foods: tofu, skewered meats, noodles, salads, rice bowls, or even just plain rice with goma dare — it’s all delicious!

It starts with Japanese white sesame paste called nerigoma — tahini can be a decent substitute if you can’t find this, but the sesame seeds in tahini are raw instead of toasted, making it less flavorful and nutty. This is mixed with some dashi, rice vinegar, soy sauce, a little bit of sugar, and salt to taste if necessary. Some recipes will add a bit of light miso, mirin, or garlic — it’s up to you how complex you want to make it.

Whether making your own or simply grabbing a bottle in a pinch, you can find goma dare and its ingredients at all Uwajimaya stores.