Japanese radish facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Japanese radish (true daikon)
radishes in Okage Yoko-chō, Japan
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	日本蘿蔔
Simplified Chinese	日本萝卜
Literal meaning	"Japanese radish "
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin rìběn luóbo Wade–Giles jih-pên luo-po
Korean name
Hangul	왜무
Literal meaning	Wae radish
Transcriptions Revised Romanization waemu McCune–Reischauer waemu
Japanese name
Kanji	大根
Kana	だいこん
Transcriptions Romanization daikon

The word Daikon (pronounced dye-kon) comes from the Japanese language. It literally means "big root." It's a general term for any type of radish in Japan. For example, the smaller, round European radish is called hatsukadaikon in Japan.

In other parts of the world, especially in the West, when people say daikon, they usually mean the long, white Asian radish varieties. Sometimes, they specifically mean the kinds grown in Japan. If you need to be super clear, you might hear it called "Japanese radish" or "true daikon."

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  This is hatsukadaikon, a small radish often grown in Japan.

Different Kinds of Daikon

There are many different kinds of daikon radishes, each with its own unique shape and size.

Common Japanese Daikon

The most common type of daikon in Japan is called aokubi-daikon. This radish has a long, white root that looks a bit like a giant carrot. It usually grows to be about 20 to 35 cm (8 to 14 in) long and 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) wide. Many daikon varieties found in China and India are quite similar to this common Japanese type.

Giant Sakurajima Radish

One of the most amazing daikon varieties is the Sakurajima radish. It's grown near Kagoshima in Japan. This radish is shaped like a turnip and can grow to be incredibly huge! Some Sakurajima radishes can reach up to 50 cm (20 in) across and weigh as much as 45 kg (100 lb). That's like carrying a small child!