A satisfying, meat-free vegan lentil soboro made with red lentils.
This simple and healthy vegan side dish comes together in just one pan, making it ideal for meal prep and bento boxes.
Serve it generously over steamed rice, just like traditional meat soboro.
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☃️ From a Winter Kitchen｜About Lentil Soboro
Red lentils are quick to cook and easy to keep on hand.
Even on busy days, they slip naturally into the kitchen.
Used in place of ground meat, they become a gentle, lighter soboro.
Soy sauce and mirin settle in quietly, inviting another bowl of rice.
Keep it moist, and spoon it over freshly steamed rice.
On days when you lean toward something Western, a ketchup-seasoned lentil stir-fry—Napolitan style—fits just as easily.
🌿 Also good for bento: Tofu Soboro, Lentil Dry Curry
🧺 What Makes This Recipe Special
- About 20 minutes, one pan：
Simple steps, minimal cleanup - Japanese-style seasoning that lets the lentils speak：
Good with rice, noodles, or tucked into a bento - Keeps well：
Stores in the fridge for about three days - Deep flavor, fully vegan：
Soy sauce koji adds quiet richness without heaviness
🍊 Ingredients
- Dried red lentils (masoor dal)：I use red lentils from Ambika Shop.
- Vegetables：Carrot, onion, and lotus root.
- Ginger：Sautéed with the vegetables to bring out its aroma. You can also add a little at the end for a fresher note.
- Seasonings：Either mirin and soy sauce for a lighter taste, or mirin and soy sauce koji for deeper umami. Homemade or store-bought soy sauce koji both work well.
- Sesame oil：Just enough to add richness.
- Scallions (wakegi)：Added at the end. Regular green onions are fine too.
- Toasted sesame seeds：A final sprinkle for texture and warmth.
👇 Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
🥣 Tools
- Knife and cutting board
- Spatula
- Frying pan with a lid：A frying pan, rather than a pot, helps the lentils cook more evenly and makes it easier to achieve a light, crumbly soboro texture.
📖 Instructions
Prep time: About 20 minutes
- Soak the lentils
- Rinse the dried red lentils and soak them in plenty of water for 10–15 minutes.
- Drain well in a colander.
- Chop the vegetables
- Peel and dice the onion and carrot into small cubes.
- Dice the lotus root similarly.
- Mince the ginger and scallions, keeping them ready for cooking and finishing.
- Sauté
- Heat sesame oil in a frying pan.
- Add the ginger and vegetables, and cook gently until the onion softens.
- Add the lentils
- Add the lentils and stir for 1–2 minutes, letting them absorb the oil.
- Simmer
- Add just enough water to barely cover the lentils.
- Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce to low–medium heat so the water simmers gently.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes, until the water is gone.
🌿 Stir gently halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Finish
- Add the seasonings and mix gently, letting any remaining moisture evaporate.
- Season with salt, pepper, scallions, ginger, and toasted sesame seeds to taste.
🌿 For meal prep: keep the soboro slightly moist to prevent it from drying out.
🌿 Flavor tip: the taste deepens as it cools; adjust seasoning lightly during cooking to avoid over-salting.
🫙 Storage
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The flavors deepen over time, but moisture can evaporate.
If making ahead, finish the soboro slightly moist to keep it tender.
📘 Kitchen Notes｜Tips & Serving Ideas
➤ Water amount
When simmering, add just enough water to barely cover the lentils.
This keeps them tender while preserving a light, crumbly soboro texture.
➤ Serving ideas
- Spoon generously over steamed white rice
- Make slightly more flavorful for rice balls or as a topping for udon
- Stays flavorful even when cooled, perfect for bento boxes
📚 Q&A
Usually not. In this recipe, a brief soak while preparing the vegetables helps the lentils cook evenly while keeping a light, crumbly texture.
Likely too much moisture was evaporated. For make-ahead meals or rice toppings, leave it slightly moist when you finish cooking.
Lotus root is mainly for adding a gentle crunch and texture. If you prefer, you can leave it out—the lentil soboro will still be delicious and comforting.
If you feel like whispering a thought, asking a question, or simply saying hello — the comment section is always open 📮
🐈 Whole Red Lentil Recipes I love
Vegan recipes ideas using whole red lentils :
🛷 Seasonal Recipes
New vegan recipes from my kitchen notes:
✏️ Recipe Card｜Printable
Red Lentil Soboro (Japanese Crumbled Lentils)
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
- Spatula
- Frying pan with lid
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 ml) dried red lentils (masoor dal, 160g)
- 50 g onion (about ¼ medium onion)
- 50 g carrot (about ⅓ medium carrot)
- 50 g lotus root (optional)
- 6 g ginger (minced (≈ 1 tsp))
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil (for sautéing)
- 1 cup (200 ml) water
Seasonings (choose one)
▶︎ Option 1 : light flavor
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
▶︎ Option 2 : deeper flavor
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce koji (shoyu koji / 醤油麹)
For garnish
- 3-4 g ginger (minced (≈ ½ tsp), to taste)
- toasted sesame seeds (to taste)
- scallions (wakegi, to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Soak the lentils
- Rinse the red lentils and soak for 10–15 minutes, then drain.1 cup (200 ml) dried red lentils
Chop the vegetables
- Dice carrot, onion, and lotus root. Mince ginger and scallions.50 g carrot50 g onion50 g lotus root6 g gingerscallions
Sauté
- Heat sesame oil in a frying pan.½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Add ginger and vegetables; cook gently until onion softens.
Add lentils
- Stir in lentils for 1–2 minutes to coat in oil.
Simmer
- Add water just enough to cover lentils.
- Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce to low–medium heat.
- Simmer 6–8 minutes until water evaporates, stirring gently halfway through.
Finish
- Add seasonings (Option 1 or 2) and stir gently while evaporating any remaining moisture.1 tablespoon mirin1 tablespoon soy sauce1 tablespoon mirin1 tablespoon soy sauce koji
- Season with salt, pepper, scallions, ginger, and sesame seeds.* For make-ahead, leave slightly moist to prevent drying.toasted sesame seeds3-4 g gingerscallions
Notes
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days. Flavors deepen over time; avoid over-drying when storing.
Notes / Tips
- Water should barely cover lentils to keep a light, crumbly texture.
- Serve generously over steamed rice, in rice balls, or as udon topping.
- Brief soaking helps even cooking and maintains soboro texture.
If this recipe made its way into your kitchen, and you'd like to share that moment, feel free to tag @veginveganvegun or use #vegin_vegan_vegun.
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