(ひた)

おひたし
noun
boiled greens
1. boiled greens with dashi broth, ohitashi
A Japanese side dish of blanched vegetables, typically leafy greens, soaked in dashi-based seasoning and often topped with bonito flakes.
ほうれん(そう)のお(ひた)しを(つく)った。
I made spinach ohitashi.
(ひた)しに鰹節(かつおぶし)をかける。
Top the ohitashi with bonito flakes.
小松菜(こまつな)のお(ひた)しは定番(ていばん)副菜(ふくさい)だ。
Komatsuna ohitashi is a classic side dish.

(ひた)し is a classic Japanese side dish (副菜(ふくさい)) of blanched vegetables soaked briefly in a seasoned broth. The お is an honorific prefix; the word derives from (ひた)す (to soak).

COMMON VARIATIONS:

  • ほうれん(そう)のお(ひた)し: spinach ohitashi (most classic)
  • 小松菜(こまつな)のお(ひた)し: komatsuna ohitashi
  • ()(はな)のお(ひた)し: rapeseed flower ohitashi (seasonal, spring)

SEASONING:
Typically dressed with 醤油(しょうゆ) (soy sauce), 出汁(だし) (dashi), and sometimes みりん (mirin). Often topped with 鰹節(かつおぶし) (bonito flakes) or 胡麻(ごま) (sesame seeds).

CULTURAL NOTE:
A staple of 和食(わしょく) (Japanese cuisine) and 家庭料理(かていりょうり) (home cooking). Simple to prepare and commonly included in 弁当(べんとう) (bento boxes).