Leafy Vegetables

Spinach, cabbage, komatsuna, lettuce — vitamin and mineral-rich greens for every meal

Leafy vegetables — spinach, cabbage, komatsuna, lettuce, and others eaten for their leaves — are packed with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They are incredibly versatile: salads, stir-fries, ohitashi (blanched greens), and soups. Their main drawback is short shelf life, but wrapping stems in damp paper towels, placing in a plastic bag, and storing upright in the crisper extends freshness. For extras, blanch firmly and freeze.

13 items 3 in peak season

Recommended Ingredients

01

Bok Choy

ちんげんさい Vegetable

A leafy green with crisp stems and tender leaves. Low in oxalic acid, no blanching needed — easy to cook with.

Low oxalic acidNo blanching needed
02

Cabbage

キャベツ Vegetable Peak

The classic head-forming leafy vegetable. One head covers salads, stir-fries, and soups — truly versatile.

Multiple uses per headAny cooking method
¥201 /1kg
Annual Avg
03

Garlic Chives

にら Vegetable Peak

From garnish to main dish — essential for hearty recipes like liver-chive stir-fry and Korean pancakes.

Star or supporting roleVersatile garnish
04

Komatsuna

こまつな Vegetable

Rivals spinach in nutrition. Low in oxalic acid — even edible raw — offering wide cooking versatility.

Edible rawHighly nutritious
05

Lettuce

レタス Vegetable Peak

Loved for its crisp texture. Great beyond salads — try it in fried rice or soup for a fresh twist.

Crisp textureGood cooked too
¥480 /1kg
Annual Avg
06

Mitsuba

みつば Vegetable

Named for its three leaves. Add at the very end — overcooking loses its delicate fragrance.

Delicate fragranceAdd last
07

Mizuna

みずな Vegetable

A Kyoto heritage vegetable. Low in harshness and delicious raw — popular as a salad green.

Kyoto heritageGreat raw
08

Moroheiya

モロヘイヤ Vegetable

A leafy green with signature mucilage when chopped — works in soups, natto dishes, and beyond blanching.

MucilaginousMany uses
09

Napa Cabbage

白菜 Vegetable

A head-forming leafy vegetable at its best in winter. Outer leaves for cooking, tender inner leaves for salads.

Use by sectionWinter peak
¥267 /1kg
Annual Avg
10

Green Onion / Negi

ねぎ Vegetable

Eaten for its leaf-stalk. Green onions for garnish, white leeks for grilling and hot pots — available year-round.

Year-round availabilityVersatile by type
¥900 /1kg
Annual Avg
11

Shiso

しそ Vegetable

Its refreshing aroma lifts the flavor of any dish. Indispensable in Japanese cuisine as a sashimi garnish and condiment.

Refreshing aromaJapanese cuisine essential
12

Garland Chrysanthemum

しゅんぎく Vegetable

A leafy green with a unique herbal aroma. Tender inner leaves work raw in salads; also excellent as tempura.

Edible rawExcellent as tempura
13

Spinach

ほうれん草 Vegetable

The king of leafy greens in nutritional value. Quick blanching removes oxalic acid before cooking.

Top-tier nutritionBlanch before cooking
¥1,138 /1kg
Annual Avg

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep leafy greens fresh longer?

Wrap the root end in damp paper towels, place in a plastic bag, and store upright in the crisper. Spinach and komatsuna can be blanched and frozen for up to a month.

Which leafy vegetables are most nutritious?

Spinach (iron, folate), komatsuna (calcium), and shiso (beta-carotene) lead the pack. Chives and shungiku are also exceptionally rich in beta-carotene.

How do I reduce bitterness in leafy greens?

Quickly blanch spinach to remove oxalic acid. For shungiku, use only the tender inner leaves for raw eating. Komatsuna has low oxalic acid and can be eaten raw.

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