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Burdock root

Vegetables · Root vegetables

Burdock root

Long, slender brown root (gobo) with earthy, crunchy flesh, used in Japanese kinpira and Korean side dishes.

Also called: burdock, gobo, gobō

Around the world: ごぼう, gobō (ja) · 우엉, ueong (ko)

1 recipe with it

Photo: 국립국어원, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

What it is

Burdock root is a very long, thin taproot with brown, soil-covered skin and white flesh that darkens quickly when cut. It is crisp, fibrous and earthy, a little like artichoke. Skin is usually scraped rather than peeled, and cut pieces are soaked in water.

Arctium lappa

How it’s used

  • Kinpira gobo (stir-fried with carrot, soy and sesame)
  • Simmered in soups and nimono
  • Korean braised ueong jorim
  • Tempura

Characteristics

Taste
Earthy, sweet and slightly bitter.
Texture
Crunchy and fibrous.
When cooked
Oxidises fast; soaking removes some bitterness.
Sold as
fresh, frozen, dried
Cooking uses
Commonly cooked, Suitable for frying

Storage

Refrigerated. Wrap in damp paper and refrigerate; use while firm.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
72 kcal
Protein
1.53 g
Carbohydrate
17.34 g
Fat
0.15 g
Fibre
3.3 g
Sugars
2.9 g

USDA FoodData Central: Burdock root, raw.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Related ingredients

Recipes with burdock root

More root vegetables