Tomato and Shiso Salad- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo

Tomatoes and shiso pair well with a light Japanese-style dressing based on sesame oil. A simple mix of soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and a little sweetness is easy to use and balances the flavors nicely. Sesame oil with tomatoes is a classic combination, and some recipes also use salt only, or add mentsuyu, vinegar, and ground sesame for extra depth.

Tomato and Shiso Salad- Japanese Home Cooking and Sweets Class in Tokyo

Easy dressing ratio

• Sesame oil: 1 tbsp

• Vinegar: 1 tbsp

• Soy sauce: 1 to 2 tsp

• Sugar or honey: 1/2 tsp

• Salt: a pinch

• Ground sesame: 1 to 2 tsp

If you want to highlight the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, use a little less vinegar. If you want the shiso aroma to stand out, increase the sesame oil slightly. In tomato-and-sesame oil recipes, adding white sesame seeds or a little green onion can make the flavor richer and more fragrant.

Simple method

• Cut the tomatoes into wedges and thinly shred the shiso.

• Mix the dressing first.

• Toss everything together just before serving.

Because tomatoes release moisture easily, it tastes better to combine them right before eating rather than letting them sit too long. You can also peel the tomatoes if you want a smoother texture.

Even more Japanese-style options

• Mentsuyu + sesame oil + vinegar.

• Soy sauce + rice vinegar + sesame oil + ground sesame.

• Salt + sesame oil only, to keep the flavor of the ingredients front and center.

If you use shiso, don’t mix too much into the dressing; it is better to sprinkle plenty on top at the end so the aroma stays fresh. The sesame oil brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes, making this a great summer side dish.