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.
Recommended Ingredients
Bok Choy
ちんげんさい VegetableA leafy green with crisp stems and tender leaves. Low in oxalic acid, no blanching needed — easy to cook with.
Cabbage
キャベツ Vegetable PeakThe classic head-forming leafy vegetable. One head covers salads, stir-fries, and soups — truly versatile.
Garlic Chives
にら Vegetable PeakFrom garnish to main dish — essential for hearty recipes like liver-chive stir-fry and Korean pancakes.
Komatsuna
こまつな VegetableRivals spinach in nutrition. Low in oxalic acid — even edible raw — offering wide cooking versatility.
Lettuce
レタス Vegetable PeakLoved for its crisp texture. Great beyond salads — try it in fried rice or soup for a fresh twist.
Mitsuba
みつば VegetableNamed for its three leaves. Add at the very end — overcooking loses its delicate fragrance.
Mizuna
みずな VegetableA Kyoto heritage vegetable. Low in harshness and delicious raw — popular as a salad green.
Moroheiya
モロヘイヤ VegetableA leafy green with signature mucilage when chopped — works in soups, natto dishes, and beyond blanching.
Napa Cabbage
白菜 VegetableA head-forming leafy vegetable at its best in winter. Outer leaves for cooking, tender inner leaves for salads.
Green Onion / Negi
ねぎ VegetableEaten for its leaf-stalk. Green onions for garnish, white leeks for grilling and hot pots — available year-round.
Shiso
しそ VegetableIts refreshing aroma lifts the flavor of any dish. Indispensable in Japanese cuisine as a sashimi garnish and condiment.
Garland Chrysanthemum
しゅんぎく VegetableA leafy green with a unique herbal aroma. Tender inner leaves work raw in salads; also excellent as tempura.
Spinach
ほうれん草 VegetableThe king of leafy greens in nutritional value. Quick blanching removes oxalic acid before cooking.
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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