Watermelon Radish

Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 13.05
This item was last sold on : 03/14/25

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Description/Taste

Watermelon radishes are a small to medium-size varietal, averaging 5 to 8 centimeters in diameter, and have a round to oval appearance with a single hairy taproot extending from the root’s base. The radish’s skin is semi-thin, smooth, and taut, generally appearing in shades of ivory, and is lightly blushed with pink hues, especially on the taproot. The roots may also have green shoulders, indicating the presence of chlorophyll due to exposure to sunlight. Underneath the surface, the flesh has a ring of white just below the skin, transitioning to bright pink, fuchsia, or magenta center. The coloring will vary in each radish depending on cultivation practices, growing environment, and soil type. The flesh also has a firm, dense, succulent, and tender texture with a crisp, snap-like consistency. Watermelon radishes should feel heavy for their size and have a subtly sweet, mild, and peppery flavor. Radishes cultivated in cooler climates will typically be less spicy, while ones grown in hotter climates may develop a more intense flavor with a dry, pithy feel. In addition to the radishes, Watermelon radish greens are edible, containing a vegetal, green, earthy, and peppery flavor. The leaves can be used raw or lightly cooked.

Seasons/Availability

Watermelon radishes are available year-round, with peak seasons in the early spring and winter.

Current Facts

Watermelon radishes, botanically classified as Raphanus sativus, are a brightly colored variety belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The small roots are native to Asia and were spread worldwide for their unusual, pigmented flesh. Watermelon radishes were named for their bright pink, watermelon-like coloring. It is important to note that the radishes only resemble watermelon flesh in appearance and do not share similar flavor profiles. Throughout history, Watermelon radishes have been rebranded several times using marketing names, including Beauty Heart, Red Meat radishes, and Rose Heart radish, and the roots are commercially produced and grown as a home garden cultivar. Radish enthusiasts favor watermelon radishes for their mild, peppery flavor, versatility in fresh and cooked preparations, and physical appearance, providing contrast, texture, and color to culinary dishes. Home gardeners also value the plants as the leaves and roots are edible, providing a zero-waste ingredient.

Nutritional Value

Watermelon 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 calcium to build strong bones and teeth, potassium to balance fluid levels, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, and contain lower amounts of phosphorus, copper, magnesium, vitamin K, zinc, and folate.

Applications

Watermelon radishes have a mild, subtly sweet, and peppery flavor well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The radishes can be consumed with or without the skin, depending on preference and recipe, but it is important to note that the skin and outer layers of the flesh are generally the spiciest part of the root. Some recipes have noted soaking radishes in ice water for twenty minutes to reduce the peppery nuances. Watermelon radishes are favored as a salad ingredient to showcase their bright coloring and are added to grain bowls, charcuterie boards, or shredded into slaws. The roots can be sliced with a mandolin and layered on bite-sized crackers with dip, added onto sandwiches with butter and salt, chopped into eggs rolls, or served alongside sushi and other fresh dishes as an edible garnish. In addition to raw preparations, Watermelon radishes can be pickled and incorporated as tangy crunch in tacos, side salads, burgers, rice dishes, and poultry or fish plates. The radishes can also be simmered into soups, stir-fries, curries, stews, and pot roasts, baked into a gratin, roasted with other root vegetables, or sliced and fried into chips. Cooking Watermelon radishes will enhance the root’s natural sweetness, and the radishes absorb accompanying flavors, contributing flavor and texture to dishes. The roots are also used in seafood dishes in Asia to help balance marine-like flavors. Beyond radishes, the plants can be grown for their leafy tops, incorporated into stir-fries, soups, salads, and main dishes. Watermelon radishes pair well with cheeses such as feta, blue, and chèvre, herbs including mint, cilantro, and tarragon, fennel, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, kale, arugula, jicama, and parsnips. Whole, unwashed Watermelon radishes will keep for a couple of weeks when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Watermelon radishes are known in China as “Xin Li Mei” or “Shinrimei,” translating to mean “beauty in the heart” or “beautiful heart.” This descriptor was given in honor of the fruit’s pale skin and unique fuchsia internal coloring. Watermelon radishes are a favored variety in China for their vibrant flesh. The radishes are used to create ornately carved garnishes, and the roots are typically served raw to showcase the flesh coloring. Watermelon radishes are a popular snack in Beijing and are traditionally consumed peeled and dipped into a sweet bean sauce. The radishes are also served with zha jiang mian, or fried sauce noodles, a famous noodle dish in China, especially in Beijing. The dish is widely made across Beijing, found on menus through street vendors to fine dining establishments, and is comprised of flat noodles, ground pork, and mushrooms sauteed in a sweet bean and soy sauce. Watermelon radishes are served with the cooked noodle dish as a raw side accompaniment. The radishes can be mixed into the dish, used to scrape up any remaining sauce, or consumed as a palate refresher.

Geography/History

Watermelon radishes are native to China and are believed to be a type of daikon radish. Daikon radishes were introduced from the Mediterranean to China sometime around 500 BCE, and while most of the history of Watermelon radishes is unknown, experts believe the variety originated near Beijing. Watermelon radishes were later brought to the United States and were sold under the new name Red Meat radish in seed catalogs. Over time, the variety’s name was changed again to Beauty Heart and later Watermelon radish, a marketing term used to appeal to a broader consumer base. Today Watermelon radishes are available commercially and in home gardens in regions worldwide and are found in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Featured Restaurants

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

El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria	San Diego CA	619-220-0692
Stake Chophouse & Bar	Coronado CA	619-522-0077
Extraordinary Desserts Union St.	San Diego CA	619-294-7001
Sheraton La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-453-5500
Coast Catering	Escondido CA	619-295-3173
Lofty Coffee Co-Solana Beach	Solana Beach CA	760-230-6747
Rosewood Social	San Juan Capistrano CA	669-243-8403
Finca North Park	San Diego CA	619-581-3003
Omni Hotels	San Diego CA	619-231-6664
San Diego Yacht Club	San Diego CA	619-758-6334
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Harumama Sushi & Ramen (Ocean Beach)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Palmys	San Diego CA	858-886-7111
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
The Guild Hotel	San Diego CA	619-764-5108
Ju-Ichi	San Diego CA	619-800-2203
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar	Carlsbad CA	619-454-9182
Fish 101 Cardiff	Cardiff CA	619-753-7139
Marriott Del Mar	San Diego CA	858-369-6029
Copper Kings	San Marcos CA	323-810-1662

the other 102...

DS Catering Kitchen	Chula Vista CA	619-703-9321
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Fox Point Farms (Haven)	Encinitas CA	619-892-0553
Lofty Coffee Co-Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-230-6747
AKA	San Diego CA	619-595-1450
The Lion Share Bar	San Diego CA	619-564-6924
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Toast Catering	San Diego CA	619-795-9135
La Jolla Country Club	San Diego CA	858-454-9601
Flap Your Jacks	San Diego CA	858-224-7442
Bar Ella	San Diego CA	858-808-2286
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Local Tap House & Kitchen	Oceanside CA	760-547-1469
Shimbashi Izakaya	Del Mar CA	858-523-0479
Terra Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-293-7088
Red O Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-291-8360
Sugar and Scribe	La Jolla CA	858-274-1733
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse	Alpine CA	800-295-3172
Pizza Cassette	San Diego CA	802-310-5601
The Corner Drafthouse	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Sycuan Casino	El Cajon CA	619-445-6002
Jeune Et Jolie	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
Michele Coulon Dessertier	San Diego CA	858-456-5098
The Sushi Stand	San Diego CA	619-394-2395
Continental Catering Inc	La Mesa CA	907-738-9264
Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner	San Diego CA	619-296-2101
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Harney Sushi	San Diego CA	619-295-3272
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863
Lofty Coffee Co.-Carlsbad State St	Carlsbad CA	760-230-6747
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Lofty Cafe-Roasting Works	Encinitas CA	760-230-6747 ex. 5
Vertex - Merryfield Row	San Diego CA	619-405-8950
Lofty Coffee Co- W. Cedar	San Diego CA	760-230-6747 ex. 4
Farm Fresh Meals	Vista CA	760-707-2383
Communion (Paradis)	San Diego CA	619-606-5568
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort	Carlsbad CA	760-602-0800
Luce	San Diego CA	619-275-2094
Better Buzz Coffee (Hillcrest)	San Diego CA	858-488-0400
Morning Glory	San Diego CA	619-629-0302
Kettner Exchange Bar	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Sabor a Vida Café & Deli	Vista CA	760-536-3331
Toast Cafe	San Diego CA	858-208-9422
Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Armonia LLC	San Diego CA	619-724-7210
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego	San Diego CA	619-232-1234
Lofty Coffee Co-Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	415-218-1535
Sbicca Del Mar	Del Mar CA	619-417-2587
Il Sogno Italiano	San Diego CA	619-380-2652
Azuki Sushi Lounge	San Diego CA	619-238-4760
Kitchens For Good	San Diego CA	619-450-4040
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
Plant Based Meals	San Diego CA	858-255-0590
Fish 101	Encinitas CA	760-943-6221
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
Communal Coffee	San Diego CA	619-305-9525
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
The Flavor Chef (Catering)	Vista CA	619-295-3172
Herb & Sea	Encinitas CA	858-587-6601
KI's	Encinitas CA	760-586-8289
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club	San Diego CA	619-816-8319
Feast and Fareway	Coronado CA	619-356-5444
Mission Bay Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-201-7551
Wormwood	San Diego CA	619-573-0289
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
The Place Catering	San Diego CA	858-549-7000
Communal Coffee - Oceanside	Oceanside CA	619-920-7887
Panama 66	San Diego CA	619-206-6352
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Burgeon Beer Co.	San Diego CA	760-814-2548
Harumama (Little Italy)	San Diego CA	619-269-7122
Merenda	Oceanside CA	703-459-4145
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Mavericks Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-999-0348
Marisi La Jolla	La Jolla CA	951-852-6730
The Monsaraz	San Diego CA	858-760-6228
Hash House A Go Go	San Diego CA	951-764-0605
Food of Joy	San Diego CA	858-531-6616
Hilton Mission Valley	San Diego CA	619-543-9000
Huntress	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Dot Cafe	San Diego CA	914-263-1424
Belmont Park Cannonball	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Birdseye Rooftop	San Diego CA	619-206-7220
Vista Valley	Vista CA	760-758-2800
Drift Cafe	San Diego CA	858-263-4298
J & Tonys	San Diego CA	855-634-7664
Extraordinary Desserts	San Diego CA	619-294-2132
Hotel Indigo	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Blue Ocean La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-999-0323
Better Buzz Coffee (La Jolla)	La Jolla CA	619-269-4022
Salt & Whiskey	San Diego CA	619-544-1886
Thai One On	Carlsbad CA	760-500-8674
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172
Viewpoint Brewing Co.	Del Mar CA	858-205-9835
Little Frenchie	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Huntress (Banquet)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Duke's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-454-1999

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Watermelon Radish. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Kimchimari		Water Kimchi (Mul Kimchi) with Watermelon Radish
Recipe Runner		White Bean Crostini with Watermelon Radishes
In Erika's Kitchen		Watermelon Radish Chips
The Bojon Gourmet		Carrot and Watermelon Radish Pickle
Domino		Kale Salad with Watermelon Radishes
Heather Christo		Green Goddess Salad
Craving Something Healthy		Asian Watermelon Radish Salad
The FeedFeed		Roast Beef Sandwich With Herbed Goat Cheese, Crispy Zucchini And Sweet Potato Chips And Watermelon Radishes
Dishing Up The Dirt		Tahini-Miso Spread & Watermelon Radish Toast with Sesame Seeds & Sea Salt
She Paused for Thought		Watermelon Radish Mini Tacos

the other 33...

Healthy Happy Life		Sweet Pickled Onion Watermelon Radish Salad
Kate Loves Kale		Psychedelic Salad Rolls
Honest Cooking		Vibrant Watermelon Radish Salad with Spring Microgreens
Mango Tomato		Mango,Watermelon Radish & Cucumber Salsa
Gluten Free, Follow Me		Cauliflower Pizza with Hummus, Watermelon Radish, Avocada, Feta, & Sun Dried Tomatoes
Gourmande in the Kitchen		Vegetable Nori Wraps with Sunflower Butter Dipping Sauce
The Kitchn		Kale Salad with Quick-Pickled Watermelon Radish
Spices in My DNA		Cashew Cheese Avocado Toast
The Defined Dish		Watermelon Radish Tuna Tostadas
Beyond Sweet and Savory		Watermelon Radish Carpaccio and Arugula Salad
Food Bully		Easy Chicken Salad Appetizers
EA Stewart		Winter Panzanella Salad with Kale, Carrots & Watermelon Radishes
Cook Republic		Rainbow Radish And Purple Kale Salad
Rhubarbarians		Watermelon Radish Salad with Orange and Goat Cheese
With Food and Love		Roasted Watermelon Radishes with Herbed Tahini Sauce
Rhubarbarians		Watermelon Radish Toast with Orange Mascarpone and Honey
The FeedFeed		Rainbow Radish And Edible Flower Salad With Blood Orange Vinaigrette
A House in The Hills		Sauteed Radishes
Honest Cooking		Creamy Burrata with Shaved Watermelon Radish and Crispy Shallots
The FeedFeed		Rainbow Radish and Edible Flower Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Healthy Feels		Roasted Persimmon and Asian Pear with Brussels Sprouts and Purple Daikon Radish
Give It Some Thyme		Winter Radish Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Elissa Goodman		Pickled Watermelon Radish
Alexandra's Kitchen		Watermelon Radish, Orange & Goat Cheese Salad
Peel with Zeal		Roasted Watermelon Radishes
Camille Styles		Detox Kale Salad
Feasting at Home		LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH DILLY RANCH
Camille Styles		Herbed Goat Cheese & Radish Tartines
Yummy Mummy		Veggie Tacos with Black Beans and Cabbage
Nutrition Stripped		Go-To Radish Salad
A House in The Hills		Soba & Carrot Noodles with Watermelon Radish
Gourmande in the Kitchen		Carpaccio of Watermelon Radishes Arugula and Citrus Avocado Dressing
Omnivores Cookbook		Three-Ingredient Quick Pickled Watermelon Radish