kombu

noun

kom·​bu ˈkäm-(ˌ)bü 

: a laminarian kelp used especially in Japanese cooking as a seasoning in soup stock

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Once the kombu is clean, soak it in water for 30 minutes or overnight (preferred). San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2022

The Tart kombu vinegar was a condiment under the sea—slightly salty, refreshing, and bracing. Tamar Adler, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2021

There are many cooking tips for reducing gas, such as adding fennel seeds or kombu seaweed to the cooking water, or soaking beans in baking soda. Cara Rosenbloom, Washington Post, 21 May 2020

Seaweed snacks were all over the place, from crunchy puffs by local start-up 12 Tides Seaweed Co. to a kombu puree from Ocean’s Balance. Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, 22 Jan. 2020

Add the stock or bone broth, along with the kombu, shiitakes, and remaining soy sauce. Cosmo Genova, Field & Stream, 20 Feb. 2020

And where Lao Gan Ma relies on synthetic MSG for its umami, Gao’s one-two punch of mushrooms and kombu delivers a gentler but richer savory undercurrent. Max Falkowitz, Saveur, 4 June 2018

For the sauce, Gao combines three varieties of Sichuan chiles with Sichuan peppercorns, kombu, and dried mushrooms, all submerged in neutral oil. Max Falkowitz, Saveur, 4 June 2018

The chef also adds kombu, dried seaweed, to the sauce for more umami. Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2020

See More

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above