This Addictive Slow Cooker Japanese ODEN is My New Obsession!

Oden is the ultimate Japanese comfort food—a savory, soy-based dashi stew filled with various fish cakes, radish, and eggs. While it usually requires hours of simmering on the stove to get the flavors to soak in, using a slow cooker makes the process incredibly easy and hands-off.

Here is how you can make authentic Oden at home using a slow cooker!

Ingredients (1 Serving)

Main Ingredients:

• Daikon Radish: 100g (3.5 oz)

• Egg: 1

• Wiener Sausage: 1

• Potato: 1

• Konnyaku (Konjac): 100g (3.5 oz)

• Kombu (Dried Kelp): 2g (0.07 oz) / 2 strips

• Chikuwa (Tube-shaped fish cake): 40g (1.4 oz)

• Hanpen (Fluffy fish cake): 50g (1.8 oz)

• Satsuma-age (Fried fish cake): 50g (1.8 oz)

Broth Base (★):

• Water: 500ml (2.1 US cups)

  • Tip: Use 100ml (0.4 US cups) first to dissolve the seasonings, then add the rest later.

• Soy Sauce: 20ml (0.08 US cups)

• Mirin: 20ml (0.08 US cups)

• Oyster Sauce: 1/2 tbsp

• Dashi Powder: 2/3 tsp

• Sugar: 1 tsp

• Salt: 1 dash

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Peel the daikon radish and potato, then cut them into bite-sized chunks. Cut the konnyaku into bite-sized pieces and score the surface with a shallow lattice pattern to help it absorb the broth.

2. Parboil the Konnyaku: Boil the konnyaku in a pot of water for 2–3 minutes. This step is essential to remove its unique earthy odor and improve the texture.

3. Prepare the Egg: Hard-boil the egg, peel the shell, and set it aside.

4. Mix the Broth: In your slow cooker, combine the seasonings (★) with about 100ml (0.4 US cups) of the water and stir well until dissolved. Then, add the remaining water.

5. Load the Slow Cooker: Place all the ingredients into the slow cooker. Note: Place the Hanpen (fluffy fish cake) on the very top, as it is delicate and may break if submerged.

6. Slow Cook: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours. The long, slow simmer ensures the flavors penetrate deep into every ingredient.

7. Serve: Once the time is up, your oden is ready! Serve it hot, and feel free to add a little Japanese mustard (Karashi) on the side for an extra kick.

Customizing Your Oden

The best part about Oden is that you can use whatever ingredients you like! Feel free to add different types of fish cakes, tofu, or meats like chicken skewers. For vegetables, I highly recommend staying with daikon, potatoes, or carrots for the best results.

Enjoy your warm, comforting bowl of Japanese Oden!