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Japanese gobo salad with burdock root, carrot and cucumber in a mayonnaise dressing, served in two small navy blue bowls

Gobo Salad (Japanese Burdock Root Salad)

The Japanese supermarket-deli classic: thin matchsticks of burdock root and carrot boiled for about a minute so they stay crunchy, tossed with salted cucumber in Kewpie mayonnaise and a little soy sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients
  

  • 1 burdock root (gobo) about 160 g / 5.5 oz
  • 1/3 carrot about 60 g / 2 oz
  • 1/2 cucumber about 50 g / 1.75 oz; Japanese or Persian
  • 1 pinch salt for the cucumber
  • 5 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise Kewpie
  • 1 tsp soy sauce

Method
 

  1. Rinse the burdock and lightly scrape off the skin with the back of a knife. Do not peel it fully - the flavor is just under the skin.
  2. Cut the burdock into 5 cm (2 inch) lengths, then into thin matchsticks. Soak in water for about 5 minutes, then drain.
  3. Cut the carrot into matchsticks the same size. Cut the cucumber the same way, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and set aside.
  4. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the burdock and boil for about 1 minute after the water returns to a boil, until it loses its raw edge but still snaps. Scoop out and drain.
  5. Boil the carrot in the same water for about 1 minute (or boil it together with the burdock). Drain well and let the vegetables cool for a few minutes.
  6. Stir the mayonnaise and soy sauce together in a large bowl. Squeeze the cucumber gently, then add it with the burdock and carrot and toss until coated. Taste and add a few drops of soy sauce if needed.