kombu

noun

kom·​bu ˈkäm-(ˌ)bü How to pronounce kombu (audio)
: an edible kelp (such as Saccharina japonica synonym Laminaria japonica) that is typically dried and aged and used especially in Japanese cooking as a seasoning in soup stock
The puzzling broth was dashi—the Japanese cook's basic soup stock—seasoned with another seaweed, kombu.Caroline Bates
Thick, dark green strips of kombu are used in soups and stews, and added to beans and grains to help tenderize them while cooking.Jan Wolff
The actual harvesting of kombu is done mainly from boats …H. Jesse Walker

Examples of kombu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then add the kombu, bonito, and shiitake mushroom, turkey carcass, and water. Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 26 Nov. 2024 Your guide cooks up a rich seaweed broth with kombu and the variety of seaweeds found, to create the perfect, steamy bowl of ramen to warm you up once the sunsets. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 The only seasoning in Go’s porridge was salt and kombu; the minerality pushed forward the sweetness of the crab and rice. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 The addition of tomatoes and a square of kelp or kombu deepens the flavors, creating a nourishing and satisfying soup. Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kombu 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kombu was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near kombu

Cite this Entry

“Kombu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kombu. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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