Can't Find Dashi Overseas? 3 Substitute Recipes

1. Introduction: Struggling to Find Dashi While Living Overseas?

Living in Ho Chi Minh City, have you ever felt that dashi, which was so readily available in Japan, is hard to find here? Even at Japanese supermarkets, the selection of kombu and katsuobushi is limited, and prices can be 2 to 3 times higher than in Japan.

Yet dashi is the foundation of Japanese cuisine. Miso soup, simmered dishes, dashimaki tamago, udon broth: without dashi, they all taste "not quite right."

This article introduces 3 dashi substitute recipes using ingredients available in Ho Chi Minh City. From granulated dashi to tsuyu and even Vietnamese local ingredients, choose the method that suits your situation.

!Cover image: dashi ingredients and substitutes arranged in a flat lay

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2. Why Dashi Is Essential in Japanese Cooking

Dashi is the source of umami. The glutamic acid in kombu and the inosinic acid in katsuobushi combine to create a synergistic umami effect. This has been scientifically proven: the combination produces 7 to 8 times more perceived umami than either ingredient alone.

While authentic dashi ingredients are hard to find overseas, if you understand the principles of umami, you can make delicious Japanese food with substitutes.

Here are the 3 key points.

• Glutamic acid (kombu, dried shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes, etc.)
• Inosinic acid (katsuobushi, niboshi dried fish, dried shrimp, etc.)
• Combination (mix two or more types for a dramatic umami boost)

!Kombu soaking in a glass pot to make dashi

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3. Three Substitute Recipes

Recipe 1: Quick and Easy with Granulated Dashi

The easiest method is to use granulated dashi (such as Hondashi). You can buy it at Japanese grocery stores in HCMC or through the Farmi app.

Instructions

1. Boil 300ml of water
2. Add 1 teaspoon (about 4g) of granulated dashi
3. Stir well to dissolve

Tips

• You can add it directly to boiling water
• For miso soup, this alone makes a sufficient base
• For simmered dishes, add a bit more for a richer flavor

!Dissolving granulated dashi in hot water

Recipe 2: Dilute Tsuyu for an All-Purpose Dashi

Tsuyu (mentsuyu) is a seasoning that already blends dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Simply dilute it and you have a versatile dashi substitute for a wide range of dishes.

Instructions

1. 1 tablespoon of tsuyu (3x concentrated type)
2. Dilute with 150ml of water
3. Use directly as a base for simmered dishes or hot pots

Tips

• Since it already contains soy sauce and mirin, go easy on additional seasonings
• When using as udon broth, adjust the water amount to your preferred strength
• After opening, store in the refrigerator and use up promptly

Recipe 3: Dried Shrimp + Dried Shiitake (Vietnamese Ingredient Substitute)

Using dried shrimp (tom kho) and dried shiitake mushrooms (nam dong co kho), which are easily found at local Vietnamese markets, you can recreate a flavor close to Japanese dashi.

Instructions

1. Soak 10g of dried shrimp and 2 to 3 dried shiitake mushrooms in 500ml of water
2. Refrigerate overnight (6 to 8 hours)
3. The next morning, transfer to a pot and heat on low for 5 minutes
4. Strain through a sieve and it's ready

Tips

• The inosinic acid from dried shrimp and the guanylic acid from dried shiitake combine for a synergistic umami effect
• Available at affordable prices at Ben Thanh Market and local supermarkets
• A versatile dashi that works for Vietnamese dishes as well as Japanese

!Dried shrimp and dried shiitake mushrooms soaking in a glass bowl

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4. Simple Recipes Using Substitute Dashi

Once you have your substitute dashi ready, let's put it to use right away.

Miso Soup (Serves 2)

1. Heat 400ml of dashi in a pot
2. Add diced tofu and wakame seaweed
3. Just before it boils, turn off the heat and dissolve 1.5 tablespoons of miso
4. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve

Dashimaki Tamago / Japanese Rolled Omelette (Serves 2)

1. Crack 3 eggs into a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of dashi, 1/2 teaspoon of light soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of sugar, then mix well
2. Heat a tamagoyaki pan (or regular frying pan) over medium heat and lightly oil the surface
3. Pour the egg mixture in 3 portions, rolling as you cook
4. Shape and cut into bite-sized pieces

!Miso soup made with substitute dashi

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5. Dashi-Related Products Available on Farmi

Looking for Japanese dashi products in Ho Chi Minh City? The Farmi app makes it easy. The following products can be ordered through the app.

• Granulated dashi (Product ID: 6397): easily recreates authentic dashi flavor
• Tsuyu (Product ID: 10084): just dilute for an all-purpose dashi
• Miso (Product ID: 5085): perfect for making miso soup with your dashi

With Farmi, same-day delivery is available within Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy Japanese flavors with ease.

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6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. How much difference is there between granulated dashi and authentic dashi?

Granulated dashi is convenient and produces a consistent flavor, but it lacks the depth of authentic dashi (kombu + katsuobushi). For everyday miso soup and simmered dishes, granulated dashi works perfectly fine. However, for special occasions like New Year's ozoni or entertaining guests, try the dried shiitake + dried shrimp substitute.

Q2. Can Vietnamese dried shrimp substitute for Japanese niboshi (dried sardines)?

Yes, they serve a similar role. Both are rich in inosinic acid and provide an umami base. Vietnamese dried shrimp are smaller and have a slightly different flavor, but when combined with dried shiitake, they produce a dashi that suits Japanese cooking.

Q3. How long does substitute dashi keep?

About 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. The dried shrimp + dried shiitake dashi can be frozen in ice cube trays for up to about 1 month, allowing you to take out just what you need, which is very convenient.

Q4. Can substitute dashi be used in cooking for children?

Yes, absolutely. The dried shrimp + dried shiitake dashi in particular uses no chemical seasonings and has a natural flavor, so it can be used from the late weaning stage (around 9 months old onward). Granulated dashi contains salt, so use less when cooking for young children.

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7. Conclusion: You Can Recreate Japanese Flavors Overseas

Even when dashi is hard to find while living overseas, with a bit of creativity, you can fully recreate the taste of Japanese cooking.

• Need it right away → granulated dashi
• Want an all-purpose option → diluted tsuyu
• Want the real deal → dried shrimp + dried shiitake

By making good use of Vietnamese ingredients, you can bring out umami that rivals Japanese dashi. Give it a try starting today.

Download the Farmi App

Dashi ingredients and Japanese seasonings can be easily ordered through the Farmi app. Same-day delivery within Ho Chi Minh City. Download the app and bring Japanese flavors closer to home.

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Related Articles

• Essential Seasonings for Japanese Cooking (C1-01)
• What Is Mirin? How to Substitute Overseas (C1-09)
• What Is Katsuobushi? Uses and Storage Tips (C1-10)

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Information in this article is current as of September 2026. Product availability and prices are subject to change. Please check the Farmi app for the latest information.