Otoshibuta is a small lid that is smaller than a pot.
There are two main reasons why we use otoshibuta:
- To prevent ingredients from breaking up.
- To let the flavour of the broth soak into ingredients.
Substitute for otoshibuta
Fold an aluminium foil to fit the size of the pot and make a few small holes. An aluminium otoshibuta might melt if used for a long time. However, as long as used for regular cooking, there is no adverse effect on the human body.