Daikon Radish

Inventory, 40 lbs : 3.30
This item was last sold on : 03/25/23

• 85 Featured Restaurants

• 18 ShareMarket®

• View where this article is trending worldwide

• Learn More

Description/Taste

Daikon radishes widely range in size, averaging 15 to 60 centimeters in length, and shape, typically having an elongated, cylindrical appearance, but also found in round to oblong forms, depending on the variety. The skin is firm, semi-smooth, and varies from pure white to purple, green and white, to solid red. The root generally feels heavy for its size, a sign that the flesh is plump and not dried out, and is also crisp, aqueous, and dense, containing white, purple, or red hues. Daikon radishes are known for their crunchy, snap-like texture when raw and contain a mild, semi-sweet, and peppery, tangy flavor. Once cooked, the flesh softens to a consistency similar to a potato and develops a neutral flavor. In addition to the roots, Daikon radish leaves are also edible and have a pungent, green, and grassy taste.

Seasons/Availability

Daikon radishes are available year-round, with a peak season in the fall through winter.

Current Facts

Daikon radishes, botanically classified as Raphanus sativus, are a mild-flavored root vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The name Daikon translates from Japanese to mean “great root” and is a general descriptor used to encompass over 100 different varieties varying in appearance and flavor. Daikon radishes can be grown year-round, but they are primarily considered a winter vegetable widely used in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. In local markets, the radishes are commonly labeled as Daikon radish, but the roots are also known under Japanese radish, Chinese radish, Winter radish, Long White radish, and Asian radish. Daikon radishes are generally slower growing than spring radish cultivars, but the roots are highly favored for their versatility and mild, sweet, and peppery flavor.

Nutritional Value

Daikon radishes are an excellent source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and boost collagen production within the skin. The roots are also a good source of potassium to balance fluid levels and contain lower amounts of phosphorus, copper, calcium, magnesium, and folate. In traditional Asian medicines, Daikon radishes are believed to provide enzymes that assist in the synthesis of starches and fats. The roots are steeped into teas and boiled with seaweed to fight infections, detox the body, and eliminate the harmful buildup within the digestive tract.

Applications

Daikon radishes have a mildly sweet and peppery flavor well suited for raw, cooked, and pickled preparations. The radish can be eaten with or without the skin, and when raw, the flesh can be thinly sliced, chopped, or cubed as a crisp side dish. In Japan, Daikon radishes are often served as a refreshing accompaniment to tempura and other deep-fried dishes as a reprieve from heavier flavors. Fresh slices are also served at the end of meals as a way to improve digestion. In addition to plain servings, Daikon radishes can be mixed into salads and coleslaws, spiralized as a noodle substitute, thinly sliced for sandwiches, layered into spring rolls, or julienned and pickled with other vegetables. Daikon radishes are popularly pickled and fermented into kimchi in Korea, a staple dish utilized as a condiment, side dish, or dip, and pickled radishes are also used as a topping in Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches. Daikon radishes can also be cooked to develop a starchy texture similar to a potato. The flesh can be sliced into stir-fries, steamed as a neutral dish, roasted into chips, simmered in soups, curries, and stews, or braised as a savory vegetable. Daikon radishes are also frequently cooked into small square cakes as a textural component to main dishes. Beyond the roots, Daikon radish leaves are edible and can be tossed into salads, sauteed as a side, or simmered into soups. Daikon radishes pair well with herbs such as coriander, mint, dill, and thyme, carrots, mushrooms, peanuts, and meats, including beef, pork, duck, poultry, and fish. Whole, uncut Daikon radishes will keep 1 to 2 weeks when wrapped in newspaper or plastic and stored in the refrigerator. Once cooked, the radish pieces will keep 3 to 7 days, and the leaves will keep up to 3 days in the fridge. Daikon radishes can also be blanched and frozen for extended use for up to one month.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Daikon radishes are one of the most cultivated vegetables in Japan and are viewed as a purifying food to detox the body and stimulate digestion. The mild radishes are frequently incorporated into everyday meals, but Daikon radishes are also used in Buddhist religious practices to cleanse the body. The Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple is a sub-temple of the Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and is one of the few Buddhist sites that accept Daikon radishes as offerings. In the main temple building, Daikon radishes are incorporated into the intricate designs seen on the walls, and there is frequently a large pile of Daikon radishes placed in front of the altar as offerings from visitors. Daikon radishes symbolize purity and are used as offerings in hopes of maintaining health. During the winter, the temple holds Daikon Matsuri, an annual event where Daikon radishes are cooked and served to visitors as a cleansing ritual. The event is a time of being thankful for health, and parishioners serve the boiled radishes to visitors as a practice to remove impurities, toxins, and prevent future disease.

Geography/History

Daikon radishes are believed to be native to the Mediterranean and coastal regions along the Black Sea. The mild roots were introduced to Asia through trade routes in ancient times and were estimated to have arrived in China sometime around 500 BCE and later in Japan. Daikon radishes became widely cultivated throughout Japan during the Edo period and were planted on farmland as a long-storing vegetable utilized during seasons of famine. Over time, Daikon radishes were intertwined into the traditional diets of many different Asian cultures, and the versatile root is still a staple ingredient found throughout Asia and Southeast Asia. Daikon radishes are also cultivated worldwide and are primarily sold through specialty grocers, select supermarkets, Asian grocers, and farmer’s markets.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Weapon MO8	San Diego CA	619-883-8525
Bang Bang 2021	San Diego CA	619-382-8938
Weapon LPM	San Diego CA	619-564-2618
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Estancia Adobe	San Diego CA	858-550-1000
Shake and Muddle	Chula Vista CA	619-816-5429
Wheat & Water	La Jolla CA	858-291-8690
White Rice LPM	San Diego CA	619-564-2618
Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.)	La Jolla CA	619-808-4087
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Home & Away - Old Town	San Diego CA	619-886-1358
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Deeply Nourished	San Diego CA	808-489-7366
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
Tahona (Kitchen)	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Humphery's	San Diego CA	619-224-3577
Duke's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-1999
US Grant Hotel Main	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Juan Tequila	San Diego CA	520-395-7565

the other 65...

Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505
Mikami	San Diego CA	619-780-0974
Smoke and Salt	Encinitas CA	760-815-9827
Burning Beard	El Cajon CA	619-884-4716
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Temaki	Encinitas CA	702-489-2129
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Javier Plascencia	Bonita CA	619-295-3172
Monarch	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
Alila Marea Beach Resort	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Cutwater Spirits	San Diego CA	619-672-3848
Sushi Nekosan	La Jolla CA	858-999-0999
Vi At La Jolla Village	San Diego CA	858-646-7700
The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
Orens Fine Foods	San Diego CA	5109102298
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Top of the Market	San Diego CA	619-234-4867
AToN Center Inc.	Encinitas CA	858-759-5017
Luce	San Diego CA	619-275-2094
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters	La Jolla CA	858-228-5655
Lucky Bolt	San Diego CA	662-832-3638
San Diego Unified School- CCTE	San Diego CA	619-884-3899
Botanica	San Diego CA	619-310-6320
Pendry SD (Lion Fish)	San Diego CA	619-738-7000
The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar	Oceanside CA	442-266-2781
Belmont Park Cannonball	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Mak Mak Organics	Oceanside CA	858-740-4217
Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye)	Carlsbad CA	760-448-1234
JRDN Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-270-5736
The Islander	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Social Tap	San Diego CA	619-398-8938
Lime in the Coconut	Chula Vista CA	619-820-0961
Pacific Coast Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-794-4632
The Farm Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-5585
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500
Pippo Pasta	La Jolla CA	858-412-3432
Huntress	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Now Sushi	San Diego CA	858-246-6179
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Wrench and Rodent	Oceanside CA	760-840-1976
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Farm Fresh Meals	Vista CA	760-707-2383
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Saiko Sushi-North Park	San Diego CA	619-886-6656
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	907-738-9264
Sycuan Casino	El Cajon CA	619-445-6002
Wonderland Ocean Pub	San Diego CA	619-255-3358
Zeca Trading Co.	San Diego CA	619-410-1576
Southwestern Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-222-0438
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
MishMash	San Diego CA	760-822-1097
Loving Hut	San Diego CA	619-855-5674
Craft House	San Diego CA	619-948-4458
Grass Skirt	San Diego CA	858-412-5237
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
The Compass	Carlsbad CA	760-434-1900
Juniper & Ivy	San Diego CA	858-481-3666
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen	Carlsbad CA	760-930-7063
Oscars Brewing Company	Temecula CA	619-695-2422
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Daikon Radish. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Pickled Plum		Soy Daikon Bites with Melted Cheese
E.A.T.		Daikon Radish Chips
The Austin Gastronomist		Daikon Radish Dip
Edible Marin & Wine Country		Soba Dashi
Cooking And Beer		Breakfast Banh Mi with Bacon and Curry Aioli
Cooking on the Weekends		Spicy Roasted Daikon French Fry
Simply So Healthy		Low-Carb Homefries
No Recipes		PICKLED CARROTS AND DAIKON (KOHAKU NAMASU)
Tasting Table		Traditional Braised Daikon
Beyond Kimchee		Apple Pear Radish Salad

the other 19...

bella bonito		Spring Salad with Carrot Miso Dressing
Steamy Kitchen		Chinese Daikon and Carrot Soup
The Global Girl		Raw Healing Probiotic Noodle Soup
Witten Kitchen		Sword Leaf with Coconut, Curry Cashew, Carrots, Apple and Radish
Barefeet in the Kitchen		Overnight Daikon Radish Pickles
Cookie and Kate		No Noodle Pad Thai
Food 52		Miso Beef Burgers with Daikon Oroshi
Beyond Kimchee		Radish Pancake
Kyoyasai Kyoto		Steamed Kintoki Carrots and Tilefish
Platings and Pairings		Daikon Radish Salad
Umami Holiday		Korean Pickled Radishes and Jalapenos
The Woks Of Life		Turnip Cake
Your Lighter Side		Daikon Au Gratin
Kimchimari		Korean Rice Bowl with Sashimi - Hoedeopbap
Gourmande in the Kitchen		Daikon Rolls with Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto
Just One Cookbook		Namasu (Daikon and Carrot Salad)
Food In Jars		Homemade Kimchi
The Woks Of Life		Spicy Meatball Banh Mi
No Bun Please		Crispy Daikon Fries

Recently Shared

People have shared Daikon Radish using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.