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I recently travelled back to Taipei and picked up a packet of Japanese salted kombu (shio kombu) from Don Don Donki after seeing it everywhere on social media. It has become incredibly popular in Taiwan recently, with people using it in all kinds of recipes.

One recipe that immediately caught my attention was salted kombu marinated egg yolks. Instead of curing the egg yolks in a soy sauce and mirin mixture, they’re simply buried in salted kombu overnight. It looked so easy that I knew I had to try it—and I was amazed by the result.

With just two ingredients and almost no effort, you get rich, creamy egg yolks infused with the savoury umami flavour of kombu. Served over a bowl of hot steamed rice, it’s simple but incredibly satisfying.

What Is Salted Kombu?

Salted kombu (塩こんぶ or shio kombu) is a popular Japanese pantry ingredient made by simmering kelp in soy sauce, salt, and seasonings before drying it into thin strips.

It has a savoury, slightly sweet flavour and is naturally packed with umami, making it an incredibly versatile seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Only 2 ingredients required – Egg yolks and salted kombu.
No cooking required – Simply assemble and refrigerate overnight.
Packed with umami flavour – Rich, savoury, and incredibly addictive.

Tips for the Best Salted Kombu Marinated Egg Yolks

Handle the Egg Yolks Gently : The egg yolks are delicate, so carefully separate them from the whites and gently place them onto the bed of salted kombu to avoid breaking them.
Cover the Yolks : Make sure the egg yolks are covered with salted kombu. This helps cure them while infusing them with maximum flavour.
Marinate Overnight : Leaving the yolks in the fridge overnight creates the perfect creamy texture.

Where Can You Buy Salted Kombu?

I bought mine from Don Don Donki in Taipei, where it has become a very popular ingredient recently. So far, I haven’t spotted it in physical shops in London, but I did manage to find it online and have added it to my Amazon Shop (affiliate link) if you’d like to try it yourself.

If you’ve seen salted kombu in any supermarkets or Japanese grocery stores in London, I’d love to know—please leave a comment below and share your recommendation!

What to Serve with Salted Kombu Egg Yolks

These marinated egg yolks are delicious served with:

Freshly steamed rice
Rice porridge (congee)
Noodles
Toast

The rich yolk and savoury kombu pair beautifully with simple dishes.

Final Thoughts

These Salted Kombu Marinated Egg Yolks might be one of the easiest Japanese recipes I’ve ever made. With just two ingredients and almost no preparation, you can create an incredibly flavourful topping that’s packed with umami.

Salted Kombu Marinated Egg Yolks

Wanting

These Salted Kombu Marinated Egg Yolks are rich, creamy, and packed with natural umami. With just two ingredients and an overnight rest in the fridge, they transform into an incredibly flavourful topping that's perfect over steamed rice, noodles, or toast.

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine Japanese

Ingredients

2-4 egg yolks
Japanese salted kombu, enough to cover the egg yolks shio kombu / salted kelp

Instructions

Spread a thin layer of salted kombu in a smallcontainer.
Carefully place the egg yolks on top.
Cover the egg yolks with more salted kombu.
Refrigerate overnight.
Gently transfer the cured egg yolks and the softened salted kombu onto a bowl of hot steamed rice (or enjoy them with noodles or toast). Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Keyword egg