Boiled Octopus Sashimi (Mizudako from Hokkaido)
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Servings
1arm (800g/1.76 lb per arm)
Cook Time
30minutes
Servings
1arm (800g/1.76 lb per arm)
Cook Time
30minutes
Ingredients
  • 800 g Fresh Giant Pacific Octopus Armsashimi-grade
  • 16 g Coarse Saltapprox. 2% of the weight of the octopus
* 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 ml, 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
Instructions
  1. This is an arm of a fresh sashimi-grade giant Pacific octopus. It was frozen so we let it sit to thaw in the fridge overnight.
    		 This is an arm of a fresh sashimi-grade giant Pacific octopus. It was frozen so we let it sit to thaw in the fridge overnight.
  2. Now, rub the octopus with coarse salt for 7 minutes to remove any gooey film or dirt. The amount of salt should be about 2 percent of the weight of the octopus.
    		 Now, rub the octopus with coarse salt for 7 minutes to remove any gooey film or dirt. The amount of salt should be about 2 percent of the weight of the octopus.
  3. The gooey substance have an unpleasant smell so make sure to remove it completely.
    		 The gooey substance have an unpleasant smell so make sure to remove it completely.
  4. This rubbing process takes a lot of work. Interestingly enough some locals use a laundry machine as a dedicated octopus cleaner. They say washing machines remove the gooey coating quickly and also tenderize the meat. Please do not try this at your local public laundry.
    		 This rubbing process takes a lot of work. Interestingly enough some locals use a laundry machine as a dedicated octopus cleaner. They say washing machines remove the gooey coating quickly and also tenderize the meat. Please do not try this at your local public laundry.
  5. The insides of the suckers or between the suckers are not clean so scrub them with a kitchen scrub brush.
    		 The insides of the suckers or between the suckers are not clean so scrub them with a kitchen scrub brush.
  6. We recommend using natural coarse salt with minerals instead of refined table salt. Be sure to rub the octopus for about 7 minutes in total.
    		 We recommend using natural coarse salt with minerals instead of refined table salt. Be sure to rub the octopus for about 7 minutes in total.
  7. When the salt-rubbing process is finished, rinse the octopus in a bowl with running water.
    		 When the salt-rubbing process is finished, rinse the octopus in a bowl with running water.
  8. Discard the water, and rub it thoroughly under running water again. Thoroughly rub the part where the gooey texture remains.
    		 Discard the water, and rub it thoroughly under running water again. Thoroughly rub the part where the gooey texture remains.
  9. Repeat the rinsing steps for a total of about 7 minutes, or about the same time you rubbed the octopus with salt. You will not be able to enjoy the octopus if it is too salty so be sure to remove the salt thoroughly at this stage. You can add salt to taste later.
    		 Repeat the rinsing steps for a total of about 7 minutes, or about the same time you rubbed the octopus with salt. You will not be able to enjoy the octopus if it is too salty so be sure to remove the salt thoroughly at this stage. You can add salt to taste later.
  10. Now, the gooey texture has been removed thoroughly.
    		 Now, the gooey texture has been removed thoroughly.
  11. Now, let's cook the octopus. Boil a generous amount of water in a large pot. Submerge the octopus into the boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes.
    		 Now, let’s cook the octopus. Boil a generous amount of water in a large pot. Submerge the octopus into the boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes.
  12. When the water begins to boil again, cook for about 3 more minutes. The inside should be half-cooked so avoid overcooking it otherwise it becomes very tough.
    		 When the water begins to boil again, cook for about 3 more minutes. The inside should be half-cooked so avoid overcooking it otherwise it becomes very tough.
  13. Now, submerge the octopus into ice water and let it sit to cool. Leaving it hot will make the octopus tough so cool it quickly.
    		 Now, submerge the octopus into ice water and let it sit to cool. Leaving it hot will make the octopus tough so cool it quickly.
  14. When cooled, pierce the thick part of the arm with the tip of an S-shaped hook, and hang it over the sink or bowl.
    		 When cooled, pierce the thick part of the arm with the tip of an S-shaped hook, and hang it over the sink or bowl.
  15. The inside is not cooked completely so the arm will stretch and straighten from its own weight, making it easy to slice or cut.
    		 The inside is not cooked completely so the arm will stretch and straighten from its own weight, making it easy to slice or cut.
  16. Now, the octopus has cooled. Let's slice it for sashimi. Cut the arm in half.
    		 Now, the octopus has cooled. Let’s slice it for sashimi. Cut the arm in half.
  17. The half-cooked inside should be translucent.
    		 The half-cooked inside should be translucent.
  18. Remove the protruding webbing or skins located along both sides of the arm.
    		 Remove the protruding webbing or skins located along both sides of the arm.
  19. Trim off the cut diagonally.
    		 Trim off the cut diagonally.
  20. Then, slice the octopus as thinly as possible to enjoy the chewy texture.
    		 Then, slice the octopus as thinly as possible to enjoy the chewy texture.
  21. Dip the slice in wasabi soy sauce and enjoy the octopus. It is so juicy and has a chewy texture. So delicious!
    		 Dip the slice in wasabi soy sauce and enjoy the octopus. It is so juicy and has a chewy texture. So delicious!
Recipe Notes

The boiled octopus can be stored in the freezer but we recommend enjoying it as soon as possible.
Discard 5 cm at the tip of the arm, and use the thinner part in karaage or Takoyaki. You should also try our Takoyaki Octopus Tempura!
When you are in a hurry to thaw the frozen octopus, submerge it in a bowl with running water for about 15 minutes until softened.