Allium chinense


Allium chinense is an edible species of Allium, native to China, and cultivated in many other countries. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and garlic.

Distribution

Allium chinense is native to China. It is naturalized in other parts of Asia as well as in North America.

Uses

Culinary

Owing to its very mild and "fresh" taste A. chinense is often pickled and served as a side dish in Japan and Vietnam, to balance the stronger flavor of some other component in a meal. For example, in Japanese cuisine it is eaten with Japanese curry as a garnish.
In Vietnam, pickled A. chinense, known as Củ kiệu Huế, is often served during Tết.
In Japanese, it's known as Rakkyō. Glass bottles of white Rakkyō bulb pickles are sold in Asian supermarkets in North America.

Medicinal

Allium chinense is used as a folk medicine in tonics to help the intestines, and as a stomachic.