1.
preliminary seasoning, marinating
The process of seasoning ingredients before the main cooking process, typically to enhance flavor absorption and remove odors.
Formation: 下 (under/preliminary) + 味 (taste/flavor).
Cooking context: A fundamental Japanese cooking technique used to prepare ingredients before the main cooking process. It both deepens flavor and, for fish and meat, helps remove unwanted odors.
Common collocations
- 下味を付ける (apply preliminary seasoning)
- 下味に漬ける (marinate in seasoning)
- 下味を染み込ませる (let the seasoning soak in)