Daikon
(Japanese: Y'h9; literally
"large root"), Daikon radish or Chinese radish (Chinese: v}S\;
pinyin: báilóbo; literally
"white radish") is a mild-flavored East Asian giant white radish. Although there
are many varieties of daikon, the most common has the shape of a giant carrot, approximately
8 to 14 inches (200 to 350 mm) long and 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) in diameter.
One of the most unlikely shaped daikon is Sakurajima daikon from Kagoshima Prefecture
that is shaped like an oversized turnip with white outside and bright pink inside. Daikon
is an essential part of Japanese cuisine being
used as a garnish
for many dishes like sushi or as a simmered
vegetable
served in its own right. Daikon is also commonly grated and served either as a
garnish or as an accent in soups such as miso soup. It also accompanies
tempura, for
mixing into the sauce; with soy sauce, it is served with
Japanese-style hamburgers. The shredded and
dried daikon is called kiriboshi daikon (R^rY'h9), literally cut-and-dried
daikon. Pickled whole daikon is called takuan (l¢^µ), and often
has a bright yellow color. It is claimed, but not historically supported, that
a Buddhist monk called Takuan first made this pickled daikon to preserve vegetables
for the long winter. Pickled sliced daikon called senmaizuke
(SCgo,0Q) is a famous product of Kyoto. Fresh
leaves of daikon can also be eaten as a leaf vegetable but they
are often removed when sold in a store because they do not adjust well to the
refrigerator, yellowing quite easily. |