Japanese Celery Salad - A Kid-Friendly Twist on a Crunchy Veggie

I always thought celery would be one of the hardest vegetables to introduce to my kids. It’s got that distinct crunch, a slightly bitter edge, and let’s be honest—it's not exactly the most exciting veggie on its own. My older one had tried it before with ranch dressing and gave it a solid “meh.” But I wasn’t ready to give up on celery just yet.

So I gave it a little washoku magic—flipping it into a Japanese-style side dish that fits perfectly alongside rice, grilled fish, or even a quick lunch bento. The result? Crunchy, nutty, savory—and surprisingly addictive. Even my older one said, “Okawari! Can I have more?”

Why You'll Love This Japanese Celery Salad

Quick and easy (under 10 minutes!)
No cooking required
Packed with umami from kombu dashi
Toasty sesame aroma kids actually like
Great way to use up extra celery in the fridge

RECIPE

Servings: 2-3

Time: 10 min

Ingredients:

5–6 celery stalks
1/2 tbsp kombu dashi powder
1 tbsp sesame oil
3 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions:

Prep the Celery
Trim the ends and remove the stringy parts of the celery using a knife or vegetable peeler.
Cut each stalk into thirds, then slice lengthwise into thin strips.
Season
In a mixing bowl, combine the celery strips with kombu dashi powder, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Toss and Serve
Mix everything until evenly coated. Let it sit for a few minutes so the flavors can soak in. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature!

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Variations

Make it spicy: Add a pinch of shichimi togarashi or a few drops of chili oil for grown-ups.
Add carrots: Matchstick-cut carrots make a colorful and sweet contrast.
Use miso: Swap out dashi powder for a tiny spoonful of white miso for extra depth.