Japanese food

Last update October 21, 2025

Japanese Food - Takenoko -



           

Takenoko
[tah-keh-noh-koh]

Bamboo Shoot

When the air becomes sweet, and a fragrant breeze caresses your skin, it’s time for that mountain vegetable dubbed “Takenoko“. Literally meaning “bamboo children“, Takenoko are young bamboo plants that have just shot their way through the ground. The upper part of a freshly unearthed shoot can make a nice Sashimi with a Wasabi-spiced Shōyu (except it’s not a real Sashimi since it’s not related to fish). In contrast, the middle part gives a pleasant crunching sensation when cooked as Nimono. When you cook them with Wakame (a type of edible seaweed), it’s specifically called “Waka-take“ by taking the first two syllables from Wakame and Takenoko.

japanese-food-takenoko-natural
Takenoko emerging from the ground. 		japanese-food-takenoko-nimono
Crunchy Takenoko cooked in Nimono. 		japanese-food-warabi-nimono
The upper part of Takenoko served like Sashimi.
japanese-food-wakatake
Wakatake or Nimono of Takenoko and Wakame. 		japanese-food-takenokogohan
Takenoko-gohan with rice cooked with small pieces of Takenoko. 		japanese-food-takenoko-tsukeawase
Tsukeawase (accompaniment) of Takenoko for Takikomi Gohan.
japanese-food-takenoko-saute
Takenoko sautéed along with meat and vegetables. 		japanese-food-takenoko-saute
A sauté of Takenoko with sweet peppers and meat.
japanese-food-takenoko-natural
Takenoko emerging from the ground.

japanese-food-takenoko-nimono
Crunchy Takenoko cooked in Nimono.

japanese-food-warabi-nimono
The upper part of Takenoko served like Sashimi.

japanese-food-takenokogohan
Takenoko-gohan with rice cooked with small pieces of Takenoko.

japanese-food-takenoko-tsukeawase
Tsukeawase (accompaniment) of Takenoko for Takikomi Gohan.

japanese-food-takenoko-saute
Takenoko sautéed along with meat and vegetables.

japanese-food-takenoko-saute
A sauté of Takenoko with sweet peppers and meat.