What is Otoshibuta (Drop Lid) and How to Make It 落し蓋

What is Otoshibuta (Drop Lid)?

An otoshibuta (落し蓋), or a drop lid, is essential Japanese kitchen equipment. The round lid is slightly smaller than the diameter of the saucepan you’re using to simmer your meal and floats on top of the simmering foods.

Benefits of Using Otoshibuta

1. Even distribution of the broth or sauce – The otoshibuta ensures that the simmering broth/sauce is evenly distributed so that all the ingredients absorb the delicious flavors. With otoshibuta, the cooking liquid circulates towards the lid and coats the ingredients without being stirred with a spoon (which could break them apart).

2. Prevents ingredients from breaking apart – The otoshibuta holds the ingredients in place so they don’t move around in the liquid and don’t break apart during the simmering process.

3. Prevents evaporation – Using the otoshibuta prevents evaporation, but if you’re cooking with very minimal cooking liquid, you can place a regular lid as well (with otoshibuta inside) to prevent evaporation 100%.

How to Use Otoshibuta (Drop Lid)

You put otoshibuta directly on top of the ingredients. There are different sizes for wooden otoshibuta so find the right size lid for your pot. If you have an adjustable stainless steel otoshibuta, you can change the sizes based on the pot you’re using.

Typically, when you use the otoshibuta, you don’t use a regular lid, unless the recipe states otherwise. When the regular lid is required, it’s to prevent the cooking liquid from evaporating.

Here are some delicious simmered foods that you can use your otoshibuta for!

• Simmered Kabocha Squash
• Nikujaga (Stewed Meat and Potatoes)
• Chashu
• Kakuni (Braised Pork Belly)
• Chikuzenni / Nishime (Simmered Chicken and Vegetables)

Where to Buy Otoshibuta

You can purchase otoshibuta from online Japanese kitchen shops or Amazon. If you’re traveling to Japan, you may consider getting one there as it’s easy to find this common kitchen tool.

• Wooden otoshibuta – Amazon
• Adjustable stainless steel otoshibuta – Amazon
• Silicone otoshibuta – Amazon

How to Make Otoshibuta

When you cook Japanese food, you notice that we use an otoshibuta regularly. It’s an essential tool for making simmered food. But if you don’t cook Japanese food often, consider making an otoshibuta using aluminum foil whenever you need to use it.

Read the instructions below on how to make otoshibuta at home.

How to Make Otoshibuta at Home

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If you don’t have Otobshibuta, you can make it with a sheet of aluminum foil.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Materials

  

• ▢ 1 sheet aluminum foil
• ▢ 1 chopstick

Japanese Ingredient Substitution: If you want substitutes for Japanese condiments and ingredients, click here.

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Instructions

 

• Cut a sheet of aluminum foil that covers the diameter of your pot.
  
• Fold the edges up into a circle so that the lid fits inside the pot.
  
• Make a vent in the middle for a small pot with a chopstick (several vents for a bigger pot). Or make a cross incision in the center with scissors.
  
• Place it down onto the simmered foods.
  

Author: Namiko Hirasawa Chen

Course: How to

Cuisine: Japanese

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