Dec 11, 2015

What do I do with this? (Some sort of vegetable/root)

Took delivery of this from a friend. They told me the name but I can't remember it. Any suggestions on how to include it in a dish?

0 9

KamaT

Long-term foreign resident of Japan, moving deeper into Chiba for a slower life and lifestyle.

9 Answers

Best Answer

BigfamJapan

on Dec 11

It looks like the root vegetable "gobou", which is burdock root in English. http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/05/seriously-asian-stir-fried-burdock-root-kinpira-pickled-burdock-recipe.html Disclaimer: I have no affiliation to the linked website!

0

KamaT

on Dec 12

"Gobou" - that sounds familiar thanks. And thanks for posting the link. Don't worry, I won't hold you responsible for any kitchen disasters that are likely to arise from my cooking! I'll check the link out. Really appreciate it, Saitama.

1
trekkingbecky

on Dec 16

You can always and mix it with gohan (rice). :D You can put anything with rice. Good luck, and I hope you like it. I'm not a fan...lol!

1
KamaT

on Dec 17

Thanks trekkingbecky. So far it's been chopped, boiled and then finished off on the grill. A bit on the dry side.

0
Lifer

on Jan 5

Miso soup You can use it in miso soup. It needs to be sliced thinly at an angel. Soak it in water for a while. When you use it, discard the water, some people squeeze the excess water out of the gobou.

1
KamaT

on Jan 6

Thank you Lifer. Excuse my ignorance, but why at an angle?

0
JanglishJerry

on Jan 8

Don't be a wimp. Just eat it as is.

0
KamaT

on Jan 9

Janglish Jerry - I'm nervous about how well my system will 'process' it!

0
Ashes

on Feb 20

Lucky! Gobou is sooooo yum battered and fried like regular potato fries. Peel it, like a potato, and the cut it into chip sticks. Make your favourite batter, coat, and fry in oil.

0

Awaiting More Answers

4 Answers

What cooling items have you tried, tested and approve?

Cooling towels and / or gel sheets, ice-gel technology, portable mist fans, wearable air conditioners... the list goes on and on. But which of Japan's cooling items actually work? What have you tried and tested and give a seal of approval?

BigfamJapan

16 hours ago

8 Answers

Who are you supporting in the World Cup?

Are you watching the World Cup? I am very sad to see Japan knocked out today, but so proud of Samurai Blue for doing so well. I was supporting them, naturally. I am also supporting Cape Verde for several different reasons, one of which is that there is an Irish player on the team! But with their next match against Argentina...one can dream! Who are you supporting in this World Cup? And / or who would you like to see win it?

BigfamJapan

on Jun 30

6 Answers

Summer only foods

Are there any foods you only eat in the summer in Japan? Or, if you prefer, foods that you associate with summer? One that comes to mind for my family is somen - we usually only eat somen in summer, with the very odd exception. One of my kids sometimes craves somen when she's feeling poorly! 'Goya' is another. Do you eat somen and goya only in summer or would you eat it at other times of the year too?

BigfamJapan

on Jun 24

4 Answers

Baby Showers in Japan

Yesterday I wrote about "Baby Shower Day". But now I am curious - have you ever been to a Baby Shower in Japan? And if so, was it for and / or organized by a Japanese person or a foreigner? And FYI, in case you haven't noticed it yet, we can now see how many views our posts are getting again! Baby shower post: https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/BigfamJapan/weBpJ-living_saitama_tokyo

BigfamJapan

on Jun 7

2 Answers

Taking the bitterness out of Goya?

Today is "Goya Day" and as I wrote in my post about it, my MIL is growing some this year so no doubt we'll be given some to cook. I am not a big fan, because I find it unpleasantly bitter. So, following in the same vein as tonetoedo's mentaiko / karako question - what way do you serve goya? Have you any tips for taking the bitterness out of it?

BigfamJapan

on May 8

5 Answers

Your 2026 food omiyage / souvenir picks?

I know this question has probably been asked several times in the past, but it is also the kind of question to which the answer changes frequently! So, I am curious - what are your top food souvenir picks for 2026? I am going home again soon, and I want to get food omiyage for several people, including the school where my son is about to finish a one-year exchange. I would love to hear your thoughts on the BEST Japanese food omiyage around this year! And / or the food omiyage you buy each and every time you are going home because it's always a big hit? I just had the photo in this post to hand, and it is not a recommendation per se, it's not bad and fits well into a suitcase, but it's not the best strawberry daifuku I ever had.

BigfamJapan

on Apr 24

5 Answers

What's your favorite 'kushiyaki'?

Just for fun; what type of skewered food do you like best in Japan? Or, if you feel like sharing, what are your top 3?

BigfamJapan

on Apr 11

2 Answers

Movie locations near you worth visiting?

The live action version of テルマエ・ロマエ Thermae Romae (2012) was shot at Nokogiriyama, Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture. It's one of my favourite getaways for hiking, the temple complex, and catching sea breezes. The movie is hilarious and heartwarming. Which Japanese live-action movies do you recommend, and are the filming locations worth a visit? Tell us the original title, English title, the year, and the location.

TonetoEdo

on Mar 23

4 Answers

Recent vending machine discoveries?

I always get a little kick out of finding a vending machine that dispenses something other than drinks or ice-cream. I have been seeing an increase in vending machines that sell religious items lately. I also like finding vending machines with unusual or attractive wrapping. Have you come across any unusual vending machines lately? Either vending machines that sell something other than the norm or a vending machine with eye-catching wrapping?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 21

5 Answers

What are our consumer rights in Japan?

Do you know your consumer rights in Japan? And if so, would you be willing to share anything about them? For example, what is the policy on returns? I am very familiar with my consumer rights in my home country, and they are very widely publicized back home, but information doesn't seem to be as transparent or readily available here. Or is that just me?

BigfamJapan

on Mar 15

18 Answers

What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture?

Today, February 20th, is Ehime Prefecture Day. What do you most associate with Ehime Prefecture, what is the very first thing that comes to mind when I say "Ehime Prefecture"!?

BigfamJapan

on Feb 20

8 Answers

Do you have a favorite mascot?

The other day, on "Strawberry Day" I wrote about "Yoshimin", the strawberry mascot of Yoshimi. I thought it might be fun to introduce a few others, so I've just written about "Tokimo" the mascot of Kawagoe. And I plan to introduce a couple of my favorites. It begs the question, do you have a favorite mascot? And how about writing a post on City-cost about your favorite or a local mascot? Pictured "Umerin" who I plan to write about next!

BigfamJapan

on Jan 17

What do I do with this? (Some sort of vegetable/root)

9 Answers

Best Answer

Awaiting More Answers

Share Your Experience