- It got moldy on top.
- Too much moisture collected, or you didn't mix it daily. The nukadoko must be turned over daily to aerate it.
Traditional Japanese Rice Bran Pickles (Nukazuke)
The soul of a Japanese household is the 'Nukadoko' – the fermentation bed, sometimes cultivated for generations. A mix of rice bran, salt, and water teeming with lactobacillus. Vegetables buried in it stay crunchy but are infused with a deep, savory 'umami' tang.
Ingredients
1
lb
Nukazuke Paste (Fermented Rice Bran Bed)
5
oz
Vegetables (Cucumber, Radish, Carrot)
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Equipment Needed
- Sealable container
Instructions
1
✓
Clean the vegetables. Bury them completely in the paste.
Tip: The paste draws water out of the vegetable via osmosis, replacing it with salt and flavor.
2
✓
Let sit at room temperature (or fridge) for 12-24 hours.
Tip: The warmer it is, the faster the fermentation.
3
✓
Remove, rinse off the paste, slice, and serve.
Tip: Never wash with soap, only water!
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 1 lb Nukazuke Paste (Fermented Rice Bran Bed)
- 5 oz Vegetables (Cucumber, Radish, Carrot)