Eating My Skincare · Episode 11
Japanese Mom's Skincare Breakfast
This is how my Japanese mom eats her skincare, a full teishoku breakfast, mixed rice, sesame spinach, miso soup, and crispy salmon. Some of it is Japanese, some Hawaii-style, since that's where we live.
Getting my mom on camera for this one meant everything to me. She's been making versions of this spread my whole life, and it's basically a masterclass in eating well without overthinking it.
It looks like a lot of components, but each one is simple on its own, and together they make a full, balanced meal.
Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids
Strengthens your skin barrier and helps lock in moisture, a staple ingredient across this whole series.
Miso
Gut-skin axis
Probiotic-rich and a constant in my mom's cooking, supporting gut health that shows up in your skin.
Spinach + sesame
Iron and antioxidants
A classic Japanese side that pairs iron-rich spinach with the antioxidant boost of toasted sesame.
What you'll need
Mixed rice (Takikomi Gohan)
Sesame blanched spinach
Miso soup
Shiojake (crispy salmon)
How to make it
Make the mixed rice
Wash and drain rice, let sit for 15 minutes. Place in a rice cooker with dashi, mirin, soy sauce, carrots, and mushrooms, then cook on the standard setting. Let sit 10 minutes and fold gently.
Blanch the spinach
Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30-45 seconds, then place immediately in an ice bath. Squeeze out excess water and toss with toasted sesame seeds.
Make the miso soup
Soak dried wakame in water to rehydrate. Bring dashi to a simmer, add miso paste on low heat, then add diced tofu, wakame, and green onions.
Cook the salmon
Season salmon with salt and pat dry. Heat oil in a nonstick pan on medium-high heat and cook 3-4 minutes per side until done.
