How To Cook Simple One-pot Oden and Mala Oden (Fish Cake Stew)
Course: Entree
Cuisine: Japanese
Prep Time: 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 25 minutesminutes
Total Time: 35 minutesminutes
Servings: 4servings
Author: Marvellina
Enjoy this comforting Japanese-style fish cake stew the simple and easy way right at home. I prepared it two ways, non-spicy and the spicy version inspired by Guan Dong Zhu Mala Oden using clay pot and Instant Pot. A short video tutorial is included.
The store-bought oden pack usually includes variety of fish cakes in there. I find it pretty convenient. Of course you can also buy different varieties of Japanese-sytle fish cakes separately on your own
Prepare dashi kombu broth:
Lightly wipe kombu with a damp cloth on both sides. Bring water to a boil in a large pot then turn off the heat and add kombu pieces. Cover with a lid and let stand for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove kombu pieces and add bonito flakes or dashi powder
If using Instant Pot, press saute mode and bring water to a boil and then turn off saute mode. Add kombu pieces. Cover with a lid and let stand for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove kombu pieces and add bonito flakes or dashi powder
Prepare oden broth:
Bring dashi kombu broth back to a boil, add daikon, carrots, and mushrooms. Cover and let them simmer for about 15 minutes or until they are soft
If using Instant pot, add daikon, carrots, and mushrooms. Cover and turn the steam release valve to "sealing". Press "pressure cooker", make sure it's on "high pressure". Set the timer to 5 minutes. Then you can release pressure
Add other ingredients:
Add konnyaku pieces, fish cakes pieces, quail eggs and let them simmer for another 10 minutes and add the fried beancurd rolls the last and turn off the heat. They will soften by residual heat. If using Instant Pot, press saute mode again and simmer for another 10 minutes then add the fried beancurd rolls the last. Turn off saute mode
Have a taste and adjust the seasonings to your taste and serve
For mala oden:
Cook noodles according to instruction. Add the spicy hotpot sauce. The amount is up to how much you can tolerate the spiciness. Add noodles, portion out some fish cakes and the rest of the ingredients and ladle the soup over