How To Select A Japanese Mandoline

If you have been thinking of buying a mandoline, or want to learn the best way to use a Japanese mandoline, this article is perfect for you.

Save time while precisely cutting fruits and vegetables. With a Japanese mandoline, your prep work time can be greatly reduced. A mandoline consists of a stationary blade attached to a platform frame. Some mandolines have a guard for your hands, which we highly recommend for beginner home chefs.

For years, both Luna and I have used Benriner Japanese mandolines in professional kitchens. Working all day to chop fruits and vegetables is a difficult task. A sharp slicer can transform vegetables into thin slices. Some vegetables like radishes or turnips can not be eaten as well in whole form, and are delicate and flavorful when sliced thin onto a salad.

Japanese mandolins are also a relatively inexpensive investment. I personally have had my Benriner mandoline for almost 4 years now, and it remains sharp and clean.

There are many types of Japanese mandolins, but the best are made of a few solid pieces that are easily assembled and disassembled. You will not be happy if you have 8 pieces to assemble and wash after each use.

The bernier is a nice model for a good price. There is a solid plastic and blade, with 2 screws that allow for julienne attachments. Once learning how to use a Japanese mandoline, it will become one of your favorite tools to use in the kitchen.

Tips for a Benriner Japanese mandoline

Be extremely cautious when handling, washing, and using these tools, as the blades are extremely sharp.
Always use the guard while learning to use a mandoline to prevent fingertips from being sliced off. The teeth on the underside allow you to grip the vegetables.
Alway stabilize the opposite of the handle on a damp towel or something that will prevent slipping.
Keep the handle close to your stomach to stabilize the handle side.
If at any time you feel resistance, stop applying pressure. Either start again, or turn the food. Fruits and vegetables have different fibers that are sliced at different angles. Changing directions can loosen tension
Never press down while gliding the food along the slicer, always forward. This will prevent the food from pinching in the blade, or inconsistency in thickness of cuts.
Use the remaining trim that was too small to go through the mandoline, and chop it by hand, or save it for vegetable stock.

Thinly Slicing Vegetables

Mandolines can also be helpful when shaving vegetables raw for salads such as:

Carrots
Radishes
Turnips
Celery
Parsnips
Cucumber
Zucchini
Squash

Recipes With Julienne Cuts

A mandoline can be a great tool to use to make those tricky julienne cuts, much easier. Using a mandoline can help you with some of our recipes like:

Have you used a mandoline before? Lettuce know if this article helped you, and what types of foods you have sliced using a mandoline!

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Peas,
Luna & Nate