Japanese Vegetables

Sansai is a Japanese term denoting mountain vegetables or edible wild plants which mark the beginning of spring in Japan. The vegetables and plants are foraged in the wild and they shouldn't be confused with the ones that are cultivated a... READ MORE

Native to China, yamaimo or Chinese yam is a climbing plant that bears edible tuberous roots with hard white flesh that is encased in a thin, light brown or yellowish outer skin. The tuberous roots are similar in flavor to potatoes or water chestn... READ MORE

Shishito peppers are small, wrinkled green peppers originating from East Asia, particularly Japan, and are typically mild in flavor, although one in ten can be unexpectedly spicy. The peppers turn red when ripe but are harvested when still green. ... READ MORE

Kanpyō refers to dried shavings of calabash gourd. Originally, it was grown in the Osaka area, but now it's a specialty of Tochigi Prefecture. These gourd shavings are usually used as an ingredient in sushi, stewed nimono, and marinated a... READ MORE

Mishima bareisho is a potato variety that's a successor of May Queen potatoes. They're produced in Japan's Mishima City in Shizuoka Prefecture. The potatoes have a glossy surface that has no scratches. The flavor is sweet, while the texture is cre... READ MORE

Yatabe negi is a green onion variety originating from Japan's Yatabe village in Fukui Prefecture. They are characterized by a unique shape – the soft white part of the green onion is bent to look like a fishhook as a result of being replante... READ MORE

Yoshikawa nasu is an eggplant variety originating around the former Yoshikawa Village of Sabae City. The eggplant is round or slightly oval-shaped, reminiscent of old Japanese money-bags or purses, which is the reason why it's used in high-class r... READ MORE

Edosaki kabocha is a pumpkin variety originating from Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture. The pumpkin is sweet in flavor and the texture is soft, powdery, and flaky on the palate, reminiscent of boiled potatoes. The sugar content is well balanced. These p... READ MORE