Recommended recipes using burdock roots

What is burdock roots?

Burdock roots is called gobo in Japanese.

Burdock is a vegetable that belongs to the Asteraceae family and is said to be native to northern Eurasia. It was introduced to Japan from China as a medicinal herb during the Heian period.

It started to be commonly eaten in the Edo period. Although it is a familiar ingredient in Japan, it is only eaten in some parts of the world, such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

When purchasing, we recommend choosing one that has mud on it to prevent it from drying out. Burdock that is too thick may have a hollow hole, so burdock root around 2cm in diameter is best.

The dietary fiber content of burdock is 5.7g per 100g, which is one of the highest among vegetables.

It is also known that burdock root contains a lot of polyphenols. Polyphenols are nutritional components that break down active oxygen that is harmful to the body and prevent aging and lifestyle-related diseases.

Although the recommended amount of polyphenol intake is not specified in the Japanese Dietary Intake Standards, it is a nutritional component that should be actively taken.

Instead of peeling the skin with a peeler, scrape it off with the back of a knife to preserve the burdock’s flavor.

Vegetables that discolor easily, such as burdock and lotus root, are subjected to a process called akunuki (soaking them in water to remove the lye) before cooking, but this process also releases polyphenols. Therefore, soak it in water for only 5 to 10 minutes.

In dishes such as tatakigobo, which have a white appearance, vinegar water is used for burdock akunuki.

Recipes using burdock roots

Here are some recipes that are rich in fiber: Each article has details, so be sure to check them out.

Kinpira Gobo (Braised burdock in soy sauce)

Kinpira is a dish made of shredded or thinly sliced vegetables stir-fried and seasoned with sugar and soy sauce. It is preferable to give it a strong flavor to enhance its preservation.

Root vegetables such as burdock, lotus root, and carrots are common. Add other ingredients as you like, such as chili peppers, konnyaku, fish cakes, pork, etc.　

The key to the deliciousness of my recipe is to use plenty of ground sesame seeds.

Shigureni (Braised Beef and Burdock)

Shigureni is a dish made by simmering various ingredients with soy sauce and ginger.

This recipe uses beef and shredded burdock root.　

There is also a dish called tsukudani, which is similar to shigureni. The difference between the two is that shigureni contains ginger.

Grandma’s Special Torimeshi (Chicken rice)

“Torimeshi” is a local dish beloved in Oita Prefecture. It’s a type of takikomi gohan (mixed rice). It contains glutinous rice so it stays soft even when cooled, and the rice is infused with the flavors of chicken and burdock, making it an excellent dish.

Burdock Roots And Pork Yanagawa Nabe

A dish of boiled pork and burdock covered with egg.

The combination of the burdock flavor and the egg soaked in the sweet dashi is wonderful.

Gobo salad (burdock with sesame mayonnaise)

Burdock, lotus root, carrots, and cucumber cut into thin stripes and tossed in sesame mayonnaise sauce. This gobo salad is one of my favorites.

Tori Gobo (Fried Chicken & Burdock Chips)

Fried chicken and burdock (gobou) mixed with soy sauce. Fried chicken is good enough on its own, but the burdock adds to Umami. Umami is something that gives depth to the taste, such as aroma and flavor.

Tataki Gobo Recipe (Burdock Pickled In Sesame Vinegar)

Burdock root (gobo) and sesame seeds pickled in vinegar. It is a refreshing dish with a good flavor of burdock and sesame.

This recipe is indispensable for everyday side dishes and New Year dishes.

Beef and Burdock Roots with Oyster Sauce

This is a stir-fry recipe using komagire beef and burdock.

Kinpira, a traditional Japanese home-style dish, is seasoned with soy sauce, but this recipe uses oyster sauce and the addition of beef gives it a rich flavor.

Chikuzenni (Simmered Chicken And Root Vegetables)

Chikuzenni is a dish of ingredients such as chicken, burdock root, and lotus root that are simmered in soy sauce and sugar.

Chikuzenni is a staple of home cooking, and when people eat it, it brings back memories of home and makes them feel nostalgic.