きんぴら

きんぴら
noun
kinpira (stir-fried burdock)
foodcooking
1. kinpira; stir-fried and simmered root vegetables
a Japanese dish of julienned root vegetables (typically burdock and carrot) stir-fried and simmered in soy sauce, sugar, and mirin
きんぴらごぼう(つく)った
I made kinpira gobo.
I put kinpira in the bento.
Kinpira is delicious even when cold.
My grandmother's kinpira is exceptional.

Etymology

Named after 金平(きんぴら) (Kintaro's son in folklore), who was known for his strength. The spiciness from chili pepper was associated with strength.

Main varieties

  • きんぴらごぼう - burdock and carrot kinpira (most common)
  • きんぴられんこん - lotus root kinpira
  • きんぴらにんじん - carrot kinpira

Ingredients

Cultural note

A classic home-cooking (家庭料理(かていりょうり)) dish, commonly found in bento boxes and as a side dish (副菜(ふくさい)).