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What to eat in East Asia? Top 25 Vegetables in East Asia

Last update: Wed Apr 23 2025
Top 25  Vegetables in East Asia
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Vegetable Types in the World

01

Garlic

JINXIANG, China
4.5
Jinxiang da suan
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Jinxiang Da Suan is a white garlic grown in Jinxing County in China, where the loamy soil and good air favourably influence the growing conditions. Jinxing has been known as the Garlic capital of China since the 1980s, and the export of this unique product has taken up 70% of the total garlic market in the world in the past 20 years.


On the exterior, the garlic has a skin that is brightly white in colour and is of a standard, oblate shape. On the interior, there are from eight to eleven cloves with a slightly pungent fragrance and a mildly hot flavour. In some varieties of Jinxiang garlic, the contents of trace elements like selenium can be 60 times more than those of standard garlic. 
02
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Kabocha is a Japanese variety of winter squash (more commonly known as pumpkin), beloved for its sweet flavor, which is often said to be similar to that of a sweet potato. Like all of the other squashes, the predecessor of kabocha is believed to have originated in Mesoamerica, from where it spread to other parts of the world.


Portuguese sailors introduced it to Japan in the 16th century, where it eventually evolved into the variety we know today. The exterior of the kabocha squash is dark green and hard, while the interior flesh is a vibrant orange. In addition to being sweet, kabocha is also rich in nutrients. 
VARIATIONS OF Kabocha
03
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Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage (lat. Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) that features dark green leaves and white to pale green stalks, forming a cluster akin to mustard greens or celery but with a softer texture and a milder taste.


Nutritionally, bok choy is low in calories but high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron. It also contains important antioxidants and is a good source of fiber. Bok choy is a staple in Asian cuisine, especially in Chinese cooking. 
04
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Napa cabbage (lat.


Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) is a type of Chinese cabbage characterized by its elongated head, pale green leaves, and white stalks that are crinkly and tightly packed together. Unlike the round shape of common green cabbage, Napa cabbage has an oblong shape. 
05

Cabbage

JIANGSU, China
4.0
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Chinese cabbage primarily refers to two types of leafy greens that are integral to Chinese cuisine and widely cultivated across the country: napa cabbage and bok choy. Originally, it was grown in the Yangtze River Delta region and it was popularized for its medicinal qualities.


Today, it is a staple of Chinese cuisine and it is widely used for pickling, but it is also often consumed raw, baked, or braised. The vegetable is commonly used in China, Japan, and Korea. In Japan, it is a symbol of prosperity, while in Korea it is used to produce the popular kimchi
VARIATIONS OF Chinese cabbage
06
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Gai lan, also known as Chinese broccoli, is a leafy vegetable characterized by its large, thick, flat leaves with fat stems. It is one of the most popular leafy vegetables used in Asian and Chinese cuisine. Gai lan can be steamed, boiled, or stir-fried.


It is used in a variety of dishes such as stir-fried noodles with beef and stir-fried gai lan with oyster sauce, which is one of the most famous dishes incorporating this healthy vegetable, rich in vitamin A, C, and K. Gai lan also contains large amounts of folic acid and dietary fiber. 
07
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Shishito peppers are small, wrinkled green peppers originating from East Asia, particularly Japan, and are typically mild in flavor, although one in ten can be unexpectedly spicy. The peppers turn red when ripe but are harvested when still green.


They can be pan-fried, broiled, stewed, and eaten raw in salads or as a condiment. Rich in vitamins A and C, shishito peppers provide nutritional benefits such as supporting immune function and promoting healthy skin. These peppers are easy to grow in warm climates, making them a popular choice for home gardeners interested in adding versatile vegetables to their crops. 
08
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Sansai is a Japanese term denoting mountain vegetables or edible wild plants which mark the beginning of spring in Japan. The vegetables and plants are foraged in the wild and they shouldn't be confused with the ones that are cultivated and harvested from fields.


Some common sansai include udo, used for its soft edible stalks that belong to the ginseng family; warabi, the shoot of a fern; fuki or butterbur, used for soups and stews; zenmai, an edible fern with uniquely coiled leaves; and nobiru, a plant similar to field garlic. 
09
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Gochu is a term used for Korean chili peppers, a variety of chili pepper commonly used in Korean cuisine and are integral to the distinctive flavors found in many traditional dishes. Korean chili peppers are typically slender and small, varying in length.


They can be red or green, depending on their ripeness. These peppers have a range of spiciness, but they are generally on the milder side of the scale, measuring around 1,500 Scovilles. milder The focus in Korean cuisine is often on a balance of flavor rather than extreme heat. 
10
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Chinese onion or Allium chinense is an evergreen vegetable characterized by its white, crisp bulbs, long green stalks, and tiny, purple flowers. It is cultivated in Asia and its leaves and bulbs can be consumed either raw or cooked, adding a depth of flavor to a variety of dishes.


The flowers, which bloom in autumn, are sometimes used as a garnish. The strong, pungent odor of Chinese onion is thought to act as a repellent for moles and other garden vermins. This vegetable can also be pickled and served as a side dish or as an appetizer in Asian cuisine. 
11
12
Yam
JAPAN  and  2 more regions
3.6
13
14
Gourd
TOCHIGI PREFECTURE, Japan
3.0
15
16
Radish
SOUTH KOREA
n/a
17
18
19
20
Radish
SOUTH KOREA
n/a
21
22
Yam
TIBET, China
n/a
23
24
Eggplant
FUKUI PREFECTURE, Japan
n/a
25
Pumpkin
IBARAKI PREFECTURE, Japan
n/a

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