さやいんげん

さやいんげん
noun
green bean; string bean; snap bean
1. green bean; string bean; snap bean
the immature pod of the common bean plant, eaten whole as a vegetable
さやいんげんの胡麻(ごま)()えを(つく)る。
To make green beans with sesame dressing.
さやいんげんは()ですぎると(いろ)(わる)くなる。
If you overboil green beans, they lose their color.
さやいんげんは(なつ)(しゅん)で、(てん)ぷらや煮物(にもの)(いた)(もの)など様々(さまざま)料理(りょうり)使(つか)われる。
Green beans are in season in summer and are used in various dishes such as tempura, simmered dishes, and stir-fries.

A common vegetable in Japanese cooking, eaten as the whole immature pod. The name comes from (さや) (pod) + いんげん (from 隠元(いんげん), the Zen monk Ingen who is said to have brought the bean to Japan in the 17th century). Also written as さや隠元(いんげん) or 莢隠元(さやいんげん).

COMMON DISHES:

  • さやいんげんの胡麻(ごま)()え — green beans with sesame dressing
  • さやいんげんの(てん)ぷら — green bean tempura
  • さやいんげんの煮物(にもの) — simmered green beans
  • さやいんげんの(いた)(もの) — stir-fried green beans
  • さやいんげんの(にく)()き — meat-wrapped green beans

COOKING TIPS:

  • Briefly blanched to retain bright color and crisp texture
  • Often used as a colorful garnish alongside 人参(にんじん) (carrot) in 弁当(べんとう)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • いんげん(まめ) — kidney bean, common bean (the mature dried bean)
  • 枝豆(えだまめ) — edamame (immature soybeans, a different plant)
  • さやえんどう — snow pea (flatter, different species)