Green-Yellow Vegetables

Beta-carotene-rich vegetables classified as green-yellow vegetables in Japan — carrots, spinach, kabocha, and more

Green-yellow vegetables (ryokuo-shoku yasai) are defined by Japan's Ministry of Health as vegetables containing 600μg or more of beta-carotene per 100g of edible portion. Some items like tomatoes and green peppers fall below this threshold but are classified as green-yellow due to their high consumption frequency. Beta-carotene is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A as needed in the body. Cooking with oil significantly improves absorption, making stir-fries and oil-based dressings ideal pairings.

17 items 2 in peak season

Recommended Ingredients

01

Asparagus

アスパラガス Vegetable Peak

A green-yellow vegetable rich in beta-carotene, plus unique nutrients like asparagine and rutin.

Contains beta-caroteneAsparagine-rich
¥2,387 /1kg
Annual Avg
02

Bok Choy

ちんげんさい Vegetable

A green-yellow vegetable with 2000μg beta-carotene per 100g. Also rich in calcium and iron — great for stir-fries and soups.

Rich in beta-caroteneCalcium & iron
03

Broccoli

ブロッコリー Vegetable

900μg beta-carotene plus 140mg vitamin C per 100g — top-tier nutrition among green-yellow vegetables.

Top-tier vitamin CRich in beta-carotene
¥731 /1kg
Annual Avg
04

Carrot

にんじん Vegetable

At 8600μg beta-carotene per 100g, it leads all vegetables. Absorption skyrockets when eaten with oil.

Highest beta-caroteneOil boosts absorption
¥537 /1kg
Annual Avg
05

Garlic Chives

にら Vegetable Peak

With 3500μg beta-carotene per 100g, it ranks high among green-yellow vegetables — a fragrant herb that also contains allicin.

High beta-caroteneContains allicin
06

Green Pepper

ピーマン Vegetable

At 400μg beta-carotene (below threshold), it's classified as green-yellow due to high consumption frequency. Also rich in vitamin C.

Rich in vitamin CHigh-frequency exception
¥1,169 /1kg
Annual Avg
07

Kabocha Squash

かぼちゃ Vegetable

4000μg beta-carotene plus vitamins E and C. Sweetens when cooked — perfect for simmered dishes and soups.

Beta-carotene + vitamin ESweeter when cooked
¥603 /1kg
Annual Avg
08

Komatsuna

こまつな Vegetable

3100μg beta-carotene and roughly 3x the calcium of spinach. Low oxalic acid means no blanching needed.

Calcium-richLow oxalic acid
09

Mitsuba

みつば Vegetable

A green-yellow vegetable with 730μg beta-carotene. Its elegant aroma is essential for finishing clear soups and chawanmushi.

Elegant aromaJapanese dish garnish
10

Mizuna

みずな Vegetable

A green-yellow vegetable with 1300μg beta-carotene. Its crisp texture works from salads to hot pots.

Beta-carotene richSalads to hot pots
11

Moroheiya

モロヘイヤ Vegetable

10,000 µg of β-carotene — more than twice that of spinach. One of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens.

β-carotene 10,000µg2×+ spinach
12

Okra

オクラ Vegetable

A yellow/green vegetable with 670 µg β-carotene and 5.0 g of fiber — top-tier among everyday vegetables.

β-carotene 670µgFiber 5.0g
13

Bell Pepper

パプリカ Vegetable

A yellow/green vegetable with 1,100 µg β-carotene — nutrients concentrate as peppers ripen.

β-carotene 1,100µgRiper = more nutrients
14

Shiso

しそ Vegetable

At 11000μg beta-carotene per 100g — the highest of all vegetables. Also contains the aromatic compound perillaldehyde, essential as a Japanese herb.

#1 beta-caroteneRichly aromatic
15

Garland Chrysanthemum

しゅんぎく Vegetable

4500μg beta-carotene plus calcium and iron. Adds its distinctive herbal flavor to hot pots.

Rich in beta-caroteneHot pot favorite
16

Spinach

ほうれん草 Vegetable

The quintessential green-yellow vegetable — 4200μg beta-carotene plus iron and folate. Classic as ohitashi or sautéed.

Iron & folate richGreen-yellow icon
¥1,138 /1kg
Annual Avg
17

Tomato

トマト Vegetable

At 540μg beta-carotene (below threshold), classified as green-yellow due to high consumption frequency. Also rich in lycopene.

Rich in lycopeneHigh-frequency exception
¥893 /1kg
Annual Avg

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between green-yellow and light-colored vegetables?

Green-yellow vegetables contain 600μg+ beta-carotene per 100g. Tomatoes and green peppers are exceptions — classified as green-yellow despite lower levels because of high consumption frequency in Japan.

How much green-yellow vegetables should I eat daily?

Japan's Ministry of Health recommends 350g of vegetables daily. A commonly cited guideline suggests at least 120g from green-yellow vegetables. One serving of spinach ohitashi (~70g) plus 5 cherry tomatoes (~75g) reaches this goal.

How can I absorb beta-carotene more efficiently?

Beta-carotene is fat-soluble — cooking with oil boosts absorption 2–3x compared to raw. Carrot kinpira (soy-glazed stir-fry) and kabocha tempura are excellent examples.

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