Although you might be more familiar with red radishes, you shouldn’t miss out on the fantastic crunch of daikon radish.
Red rover, red rover, send red radish over? Although you might be more familiar with red radishes, you shouldn’t miss out on the fantastic crunch of daikon radish. This versatile radish can be made into many different dishes whether it’s a pan-fried radish cake filled with bits of carrot and ham, or pickled radish and carrots. Although the radish cake is more common on Chinese tables, you’ll often find its pickled counterpart as an appetizer whenever you go to a Korean barbecue restaurant.
What is It?
One reason you might not recognize a daikon radish when you see it is because it has many different names. Since it is popular all over Asia, it would stand to reason that every culture would call it something different. Some of these names include mooli, satsuma, and Japanese radish. “Daikon” itself originates from Japan, where it means “large root.” It’s mild, crisp, and juicy all at the same time. When you cook it, it also tastes something like a turnip.
Is It Healthy?
Daikon radish is indeed healthy. Not only is it good for you, but it also tastes good too! An enzyme found in this radish, called diastase will improve your stomach’s efficiency. You can digest other foods more quickly, and you can recover from such disparate conditions as indigestion and hangovers. Raw daikon juice can also help you get over a headache, along with fevers and hot flashes. What else can it do? Let’s have a look:
- It clears phlegm and bacteria that interfere with your breathing.
- It can fight cancer.
- It boosts your immune system.
- It helps your bones and skin look and feel healthier.
- It can also help you lose weight.
How Do You Prepare It?
As we mentioned above, there are numerous ways to prepare daikon radish. Those example dishes were just to whet your curiosity, not to mention your appetite. If you’re in the mood for some soup during these unexpectedly cold and dreary days, go ahead and add some radish! Whether you want to boil, bake, or roast it, don’t hesitate to try each method. Just be sure you don’t let the leaves fall by the wayside since they’re just as tasty and nutritious as the rest of the radish!
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Opened since 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, email us at LottePlaza.com.