Japanese Food Tips

Renkon is a vegetable and lotus flower stem which is harvested in the autumn. It seems that renkon is eaten in only Southeast and East Asia. Of course, Japan is included in East Asia and renkon is often eaten here. However, there may be many people in other places who have never actually seen or eaten renkon. Potatoes and carrots grow in the soil, but lotus grows in wetlands with clayey soil. In Japan, nearly half of the renkon is grown around Kasumigaura in Ibaraki Prefecture. Kasumigaura is the second largest lake in Japan and is located in the Kanto area, which includes Tokyo and Yokohama. Renkon contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. When cut, you can see its distinctive pattern of holes. Japanese believe seems that renkon is also an auspicious ingredient because you can see into the future through the holes. It is used in simmered dishes, tempura and fried dishes. It is difficult to convey the renkon texture. If you come to Japan, please eat it and check out the texture. If you eat renkon, Japanese people may say that you are a Japanese foodie.