>>21395748You need to mix it with either shiitake mushrooms or dried fish to bring out the "true" flavor. Msg on its own tastes like nothing much, but once you mix inosinate/guanylate(katusobushi or dried shiitake) with it you get a super meaty and tasty broth. Dare I say it becomes... umami.
There are some fun recipes where you simmer strips of used kombu in a soy saucey type liquid and then use it as a garnish. It's pretty yummy. I forget what its called tho.