Easy Japanese Meal Prep Recipe for Bento & Family Meals
Looking for a healthy and satisfying Japanese side dish?
This flavor-packed hijiki seaweed simmered with ground chicken is a must-try!
It’s:
✔ Full of iron, calcium, and fiber
✔ High in protein thanks to chicken
✔ Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
✔ Suitable for toddlers or baby-led weaning (just skip seasoning before dividing!)
Let’s make this super versatile Japanese side dish you’ll want to keep in your fridge every week!
Ingredients (Serves 3–4)
- 10g dried hijiki (rehydrated in water)
- 100g ground chicken
- ⅓ carrot (julienned)
- 1 sheet of aburaage (fried tofu pouch, cut into strips)
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
Seasonings:
- 100ml dashi (Japanese soup stock)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté ground chicken until no longer pink.
2. Add rehydrated hijiki, carrot, and aburaage. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
3. Pour in the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar.
4. Simmer on medium heat for 5–7 minutes until the liquid reduces.
5. Serve warm or let cool before storing.
Tips for Families
- For babies or toddlers: Before adding seasoning, scoop out a portion and season lightly with just dashi.
- For lunchboxes (bento): This dish tastes great cold too!
- For extra color: Add a few edamame beans or sesame seeds when serving.
Storage
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in small portions for up to 3 weeks.
- Ideal for batch cooking on weekends!
Why You’ll Love This Hijiki Dish
Hijiki is often underrated, but it’s one of Japan’s superfoods—rich in minerals, fiber, and perfect for healthy meals.
Adding ground chicken makes it more filling and family-friendly, even for picky eaters!
If you’re looking for a healthy side dish that’s easy to prep and versatile, this is your new go-to.
Enjoy it with steamed rice, in a bento, or as a nutritious snack any time of day 🍱
