kombu

American  

[kohm-boo] / ˈkoʊm bu /

Or konbu

noun

1. a brown Japanese seaweed, sun-dried before use in sushi, stocks, etc.

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kombu British  

/ ˈkɒmbuː /

noun

1. a dark brown seaweed of the genus Laminaria (class Phaeophyceae) the leaves of which are dried and used esp in Japanese cookery

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Etymology

Origin of kombu

C19: Japanese

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kombu

People assume it's rubbery, but that's Pacific kelp - Japanese kombu.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

The maki rolls are flavorful, the crudo bright and refreshing, and there are plenty of vegetable-forward dishes as well, like tempura eggplant and kombu carrots.

From Salon ● Feb. 2, 2026

Emily Han writes in The Kitchn that kombu is a staple Japanese ingredient that is "a seaweed that makes for a versatile pantry ingredient, providing dishes with umami flavor, nutrients, and minerals."

From Salon ● May 14, 2024

She likes to add a small piece of kombu to her rice while it cooks, and sometimes seasons the cooked rice with fresh ginger, a splash of sake, toasted sesame seeds or minced herbs.

From Washington Post ● May 5, 2022

An essentially excellent apple cake — a family recipe from Beaird’s aunt — felt effortful paired with madrone-bark sabayon and kombu ice cream, the introduction of algae an overreach toward a savory element.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 17, 2022