Japan’s Bamboo Shoots: Dishes, History & Symbolism

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Bamboo grows almost anywhere in Japan. Not only is it admired in places like Kyoto’s bamboo forest, it is also a versatile material for crafts and construction. It has another use not as well known overseas, however–food. Called takenoko in Japanese, bamboo shoots are one of many seasonal foods in Japan.

Japan’s Healthy Seasonal Ingredients

Seasonality is essential to Japanese cuisine, and the importance of shun, or seasonal ingredients, is reflected in the inventories of grocery stores nationwide. Not only do seasonal ingredients assure a healthy diet, they also tend to be symbolically charged. A characteristic ingredient of the spring season arrives at stores around March and sticks around until the end of May: takenoko, bamboo shoots.

Bamboo shoots are seen as an auspicious food and first appear around the same time as another herald of spring in Japan, the sakura cherry blossoms. The timing and symbolism of their literal breaking through ground make them the subject of haiku poems and even grants them their season in Japan’s old calendar.

Small, green conical bamboo shoots among a bunch of brown leaf-litter.
Bamboo shoots, like their adult counterparts, are green in appearance. Image via Shutterstock

Rarely used today, the old Japanese calendar contained 24 major seasonal divisions, each split again into three particular five-day periods. Within these 72 divisions, bamboo shoots receive their Japanese micro season around the 15th of May: ‘Bamboo Shoots Sprout’.

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Edible Bamboo

Anyone only familiar with grown bamboo stalks might marvel at the idea of eating bamboo, but shoots that have yet to break the ground are soft enough to be eaten raw. However, unless you are an absolute takenoko lover heading out into the mountains to forage, you probably wouldn’t attempt this. Quite a few people do, though, paying close attention to the weather to harvest wild shoots at the right time.

A photograph of a split-open bamboo shoots.  It has a lot of cavities on the inside, like the inside of a piano.
The inside of a bamboo shoot is hollow, with plenty of cavities. Image via Shutterstock

When the shoots are exposed to sunlight and begin photosynthesis, they gain a sharp and bitter taste, essential when preparing them. Harvesting takenoko is a race against time, as they taste better when cooked right after harvesting. Regardless of the exact time of harvest, however, shoots need to be boiled for about an hour before they are ready to be enjoyed.

Popular Dishes

After boiling has eliminated their bitterness, takenoko are usually used for a variety of simple spring dishes such as:

Simmered bamboo shoots, Tosa-ni
Incredibly simple, this side dish involves simmering bamboo shoots in a katsuobushi (dried bonito) and soy sauce broth. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or with sake.

A small bowl of simmered beige bamboo shoots, mixed with pink bonito flakes.
Simmered bamboo shoots are a versatile appetizer. Image via Shutterstock

Takenoko Gohan

Bamboo shoot rice, is the most typical takenoko dish and a must-have in spring for most Japanese people. The crunchy and fragrant bamboo shoots are cooked with the rice, giving it a subtle earthy spring flavor.

A small bowl of bamboo shoots and fried rice.  The bowl is made of clay and it's silver and white.
Bamboo shoots on top of rice are a quick, earthy meal. Image via Shutterstock

Yaki Takenoko

Pre-boiled takenoko are marinated and then skewered to be grilled over charcoal. Perfect for a healthy BBQ snack.


Skewers of grilled bamboo shoots and konjac (a gelatinous vegtable) resting on a circular wooden tub.
Bamboo shoots and konjac are good for barbecuing. Image via Shutterstock

Processed Bamboo Shoots

Takenoko is not just eaten at its freshest in spring; they are also used to make a condiment you have most likely already encountered if you’re a fan of Japanese ramen: menma.

A small plate of fermented slices of bamboot shoots, also known as menma. They're small and beige.
Menma is a common topping for ramen. Image via Shutterstock

Menma is bamboo shoots that have been boiled, dried, sliced, and fermented. A popular topping for all kinds of Japanese soups, it can also be a snack.

Unlike crunchy bamboo shoots, menma has a unique smooth yet tender texture. Its flavor is slightly salty but mild, so it does not overpower the soup it is served in.

What is the Symbolism of Bamboo in Japan?

Besides bamboo shoots’ seasonal solid connection, the whole plant plays an important role all year round. Strong and fast-growing, it’s seen as a symbol of prosperity and vitality. 

An auspicious decoration made of cut bamboo stalks, pine, and plum tree branches called kadomatsu appears in pairs at the entrance to Japanese houses over the New Year’s period. Representing prosperity, longevity, and steadfastness, respectively, they invite in a fortune-bringing deity known as toshigami

Decorative, hollowed-out bamboo with a foil fan on top of a  light green tatami mat.
Bamboo is also a good-luck symbol. Image via Shutterstock

Bamboo is also central to Japan’s oldest work of fiction: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, also known as the Tale of Princess Kaguya. Written by an unknown author in the late 9th or early 10th century, the story revolves around a princess from the moon, discovered as a baby by a poor bamboo cutter within a glowing bamboo stalk. 

A commerative postal stamp of The Tale of Princesss Kaguya, which depicts an elderly man weating a blue tunic, gray pants and black hat, holding a palm-sized Princess Kaguya, who's wearing a pink kimono.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya heavily uses bamboo as a motif. Image via Shutterstock

Beyond its deliciousness and symbolism, bamboo is still essential for Japanese food and drink preparation. There would be no sushi rolls without makisu, a bamboo rolling mat, and no Japanese tea ceremony without chasen, a bamboo whisk used to make matcha tea.

Bamboo continues to be necessary to Japan, and for good reason. Have you tried eating bamboo before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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