Each of these daikon radish recipes showcases the versatility of mildly sweet and crunchy daikon radishes. From light and comforting soups to hearty stews, sweet and spicy pickles, and even refreshing fruit salads, I'm sharing flavorful Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, and more daikon recipes.
You'll find top dishes created by some of the best and most experienced chefs and recipe developers, including insights into why you might like each of these fabulous dishes – many featuring the bold and delicious flavors of East and Southeast Asian cuisine!
jump to:
- 💭 what is daikon?
- ✨ what can I use daikon radish for?
- 🍲 6 soup recipes using daikon
- 🥗 6 simple cold dishes or salads
- 🍛 delicious hot dishes with daikon
- 🫙 pickled and fermented daikon recipes
- 🔪 equipment
- ❄️ storage
- 💭 Cindy's top expert tips
- 💭 FAQs
- 💭 final thoughts
- 🥬 more vegetable recipes and guides you'll enjoy
💭 what is daikon?
Daikon is the Japanese name for a type of long white root vegetable (shaped like a large ice spear) used in many East Asian cuisines – also known as chai tow, Korean radish, Chinese radish, lobak, and Japanese radish, among other names.
It’s milder than other radishes and can taste sweet when cooked, making it one of the most versatile root vegetables. There are even different colors of daikon, like purple ones!
Here's a nerdy dietitian fact: it's a cruciferous vegetable that's easy to add to your favorite meals!
You can find it at your local Asian market, and many larger chain grocery stores carry it now, too. It's available year-round, though winter radish will taste slightly different than summer radish.
You might start using it every week after trying a recipe or two from here.
✨ what can I use daikon radish for?
If you’re wondering what to do with daikon radishes other than pickling them, I’ve got you covered.
- Soups
- Cold dishes (not just salads)
- Hot dishes
- And a few easy pickled or fermented dishes you can enjoy over and over again
Need sides to go with these recipes? Check out these East Asian vegetable dishes.
how to cook
Daikon is so useful and easy to cook, that I almost always have it in my fridge. As a chef and dietitian, I couldn't resist putting together this handy visual on the different ways to cook with daikon – including what's covered here, but also other cooking methods like stir-fry.
For even more expert tips, reference this comprehensive chef's guide on daikon.
🍲 6 soup recipes using daikon
Crunchy daikon is great for adding some texture to soups. Its mild flavor complements light broths without overpowering them, while its texture makes soups heartier.
1. easy miso soup
Traditional Japanese miso is a light yet flavorful soup that is simple to make with only a few ingredients. But it's also easy to customize with daikon radish and whatever other seasonal veggies and add-ins you like!
why you'll love this recipe
- Keep things as-is for a light soup or add cooked protein to make an even more nourishing meal.
- From start to finish this daikon miso soup recipe is ready to serve in only 20 minutes.
- This recipe uses dashi stock granules, making it extra easy to make!
- Make this part of your weekly meal prep for quick and easy meals all week long. Just add the sliced green onion after reheating.
2. daikon pork rib soup
This popular comfort food in Taiwanese and Chinese households is surprisingly simple to make with just 10 minutes of prep. Then let it simmer as you step back, and soon enough you’ll have perfectly tender spare ribs with daikon radish in a light and nourishing pork bone soup.
why you'll love this recipe
- It's the perfect recipe for meal prep to enjoy as cozy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Serve this soup as a sippable broth, side dish, or even as a full meal (just add a side of rice or noodles)!
- There are less than a dozen simple ingredients in here, all of which can easily be found at most chain grocery stores.
3. taiwanese hot pot
Whether it’s hot or chilly outside, I think it’s hot pot season year-round as long as you have AC or a good fan! Taiwanese hotpot with daikon is delicious and nourishing, of course, but it’s also the perfect way to connect with friends and family, catch up, and foster a sense of community.
why you'll love this recipe
- You'll learn a little-known way of cutting daikon for the perfect texture (with step-by-step photos)!
- The broth is light yet satisfying, with a delicious umami flavor that lets the hot pot add-ins shine.
- It's easy to customize this classic recipe with your favorite veggies and proteins... Just about anything goes here!
- This method of cooking lets you have complete control over how soft or tender the vegetables are cooked.
- Then, dip your favorite ingredients in one of these hotpot sauces! (By the way, you can easily make it into shabu shabu, aka Japanese hot pot, or Chinese hot pot with different broth and sauce variations.)
4. vietnamese macaroni soup
Soup for breakfast? If you aren't already a fan you've got to try warm, comforting, and delicious macaroni soup with daikon for breakfast! Since it's loaded with tender ribs, veggies, and pasta, it also makes the perfect lunch or dinner to prepare ahead of time.
why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe is similar to chicken noodle soup or other simple but flavorful dishes. It's comforting and cozy!
- It's not very fast (you need about 1.5 hours) but it is easy, so this is a great recipe for a relaxing weekend or meal prep for the week.
- Prep is a breeze and takes about 15 minutes. Just a bit of chopping and then it all gets added to the pot to cook.
5. thai beef stew
In this Thai dish, you don't need to sear the meat first, which makes this beef stew with radish the perfect one-pot dump-and-go recipe!
why you'll love this recipe
- Your choice: You can make this soup in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
- They call it "walk away" soup for how easy it is to add everything to the pot and, well, walk away!
- The soup cooks hands-off for several hours until the meat is perfectly tender.
- Add noodles to the beef stew to really add some oomph to the heartiness of this dish.
6. braised beef and radish
Cantonese-style braised beef and radish is a classic and famous Chinese radish recipe made with soft and tender beef. It’s often served with rice or noodles for a complete all-in-one meal!
why you'll love this recipe
- Using the instant pot makes this classic soup in a fraction of the time it normally takes on the stovetop.
- Step-by-step instructions and a handy video help walk you through this easy recipe.
- It's made with simple ingredients that are as nourishing as they are delicious.
🥗 6 simple cold dishes or salads
Nothing beats a delicious dish that doesn't need cooking! Ok, while not all of these recipes are entirely no-cook, they are all served chilled and feature refreshing and crunchy daikon.
1. simple purple daikon radish salad
This raw purple daikon dish is especially good for hot summer days and any day when you don’t feel like turning on the stove or oven. It makes a refreshing side dish or can be the perfect base for a hearty salad.
why you'll love this recipe
- Aside from toasting some sesame seeds, this is a no-cook recipe that comes together in only 10 minutes – pro tip: you can even buy already toasted sesame seeds to save on this step!
- Raw purple daikon radish is naturally sweeter than other daikon varieties, making this salad extra delicious.
- The outer skin of purple daikon tends to be extra thin, so you could even use it without peeling (but rinsed with cold water thoroughly, of course)!
- It's vegan and gluten-free – helpful if you need a quick side dish for a variety of dietary needs.
2. taiwanese-style braised tofu, white radish, konbu (lu wei)
This simple appetizer is a flavorful combination of braised tofu, daikon, and konbu (kelp) all simmered in a classic savory Taiwanese sauce. It’s a delicious appetizer, side dish, or meal served with rice or noodles.
why you'll love this recipe
- Lǔ wèi (滷味) is a method of braising the tofu and veggies in an aromatic soy sauce base until they are perfectly tender and flavorful.
- Enjoy this classic braised dish for a light lunch or as part of a hearty dinner.
- It's easy to customize the simple ingredients and use whatever proteins and vegetables you like.
- This protein-packed recipe is also vegan/vegetarian.
- Ready in as little as 40 minutes!
3. bun thit nuong (vietnamese pork vermicelli bowls)
Vietnamese pork vermicelli bowls are loaded with all of the savory, sweet, and sour flavors you crave! Best of all, these bowls are ready to enjoy in just over 30 minutes.
why you'll love this recipe
- Vietnamese vermicelli bowls feature a combination of tender grilled pork, pickled crisp vegetables (like daikon), and perfectly cooked noodles.
- Customize the dish by loading on as many toppings as you like, more or less pork, or add other extra goodies.
- This recipe shows you step-by-step how to make the different components for the bowls, including tips for making them ahead of time.
4. watermelon and daikon radish salad
This watermelon salad is a sweet, savory, and refreshing summer dish. It has a nice tang from red onions and pickled daikon radishes, plus just the right amount of saltiness from crumbled feta cheese.
why you'll love this recipe
- This salad is perfect as a lunch salad or for a chilled side dish.
- It looks as lovely as it tastes! The pretty pink and white colors really pop on the plate.
- From start to finish the salad takes only 15 minutes to assemble so it's quick and easy to whip up.
5. shaved daikon radish and carrot salad
Tired of all the traditional leafy lettuce salads out there? Change things up with this simple yet exciting salad that’s crunchy and flavorful with lots of fresh carrots and daikon radish.
why you'll love this recipe
- It has a simple, light, and flavorful sesame dressing where a little goes a long way.
- Shaved vegetables are super easy to prepare and look elegant all piled up together.
- It only takes 10 minutes to make with a handful of Asian pantry staples.
- It's vegan/vegetarian too!
6. daikon radish slaw
Daikon white radish slaw has a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing that makes it perfect to pair as a side dish or salad with all of your favorite meals!
why you'll love this recipe
- This quick and easy no-cook slaw recipe is ready in 10 minutes.
- It goes great with just about any type of cuisine, from traditional Asian-inspired dishes to classic Southern comfort foods.
- Let kids help make this recipe by peeling the veggies and mixing everything together.
🍛 delicious hot dishes with daikon
The sharp bite and light sweetness of daikon make it delicious to include in savory warm dishes. When lightly cooked, the radish tends to stay rather firm, providing a nice balance of taste and texture.
1. colorful roasted persimmon, brussels sprouts, and radish
These roasted fruits and veggies are bursting with vibrant color and a delicious balance of savory and sweet flavors. Serve this vegetarian side dish with your Thanksgiving dinner, or any meal really, instead of plain roasted brussels sprouts.
why you'll love this recipe
- This dish looks gorgeous with a rainbow of colors... And tastes amazing, too!
- There is no such thing as a "boring" recipe when fuyu persimmon is involved. It'll have everyone at the table talking!
- Ready to serve in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
2. fun daikon radish wands
How whimsical is this radish recipe?? These lovely wands are loaded with heart-shaped roasted radishes for a savory treat that's perfect to share on Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or any special occasion.
why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe shows you how to roast the radishes in the oven and air fryer.
- You need only 4 ingredients, plus whatever creamy dipping sauce you choose to serve them with – my pick is a miso dipping sauce!
- Even kids will agree that these skewers are a fun way to eat your veggies.
3. mooli paratha (radish stuffed flatbread)
These traditional white radish paratha are filled with bold and spicy stuffing. It's easy to see why this Punjabi mooli flatbread recipe is so popular!
why you'll love this recipe
- A combination of green chiles and red chili powder brings a delightful spicy heat
- Easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd.
- With over 400 social shares and a nearly perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating you know this recipe is going to be a big hit in your house, too.
4. turnip cake (a favorite dim sum dish)
This turnip cake recipe is popular to make for Chinese New Year celebrations, as the Chinese word for turnip, 菜頭 (Cài tóu) sounds like 好彩頭 (Hǎo cǎitóu), which means good luck to come. And you sure will feel lucky when you get a bite of these crisp but tender savory daikon cakes!
why you'll love this recipe
- This allergy-friendly dim sum recipe does not contain any nuts or sesame seeds.
- The preparation and cooking tips here are very detailed and easy to follow.
- In this post, Sharon at Nut Free Wok also shares a great lineup of other traditional Chinese dishes that are perfect to serve with the turnip cakes.
🫙 pickled and fermented daikon recipes
From tangy pickles to fiery kimchi, daikon is excellent for preserving with lots of big flavors! Jars of pickled veggies will keep well in the fridge for at least a few weeks. (But be sure to check individual recipes for specific storage recommendations.)
1. vietnamese pickled carrots and daikon
Elevate any meal with this zesty and refreshing pickled slaw. It comes together with just a few easy steps and simple ingredients, like crunchy daikon and carrots.
why you'll love this recipe
- You only need 5 ingredients for this recipe.
- It makes 12 servings, so it's great to feed a crowd or keep on hand for plenty of meals.
- Sweet, tangy, fresh, and crisp pickled veggies are versatile as a side or slaw for topping dishes, sandwiches, noodles, and more.
2. achara (filipino pickled green papaya and daikon)
Papaya and veggie slaw is traditionally made with carrots, but you can easily swap in shaved daikon radish for a more crunchy and less sweet version.
why you'll love this recipe
- Learn how to brine green papaya so it has the best crisp yet tender texture.
- Along with swapping carrots for daikon, you can change the pickling liquid to make a sinamack-inspired spiced vinegar achara.
- This recipe has lots of terrific tips and easy steps to follow.
3. korean-style radish kimchi
This foolproof recipe (a version of kkakdugi) is both easy to make and delicious. Enjoy tangy, spicy, and crunchy daikon kimchi with soups, dumplings, fried rice, and much more!
why you'll love this recipe
- Get detailed expert notes on fermentation and the easy process of making one of my favorite kimchi recipes at home.
- It's so easy to prepare - the hardest part is waiting a day for the kimchi to ferment so you can dig in!
- Increase the ingredients and make plenty of jars to store and give away as gifts.
4. crunchy korean pickled radish
These bite-sized cubes of pickled daikon are crunchy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. They are easy to prep in just 10 minutes and ready to enjoy in as little as 1 hour.
why you'll love this recipe
- The chunky cuts of daikon are super crisp and will make your mouth very happy!
- You only need four simple ingredients—one of them is water!
- Easily customize your pickles with aromatics like fresh ginger, garlic, or even a pinch of beet powder for a gorgeous pink hue.
- Prep a batch in minutes and keep a glass jar in the fridge for a refreshing, ready-to-go side.
🔪 equipment
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These are some of my favorite kitchen tools for preparing and cooking different radishes. Hopefully, you’ll find them helpful too.
- vegetable peeler: This Swiss peeler is used in professional kitchens because it's sharp and peels off just a thin layer, helping you reduce food waste. It's also comfortable to hold and works for left-handed cooks too!
- julienne peeler: A favorite kitchen tool in many Asian households to make julienne vegetables super easy. It'll work especially well for pickled daikon!
- Tatung multicooker: I love using this for soups and braised dishes so that I can put all the ingredients in and do other things while it cooks.
❄️ storage
whole daikon: To keep daikon as fresh as possible I suggest storing it unpeeled in a loose plastic bag and keeping it in the refrigerator for up to a week or so. When fresh, the main part of the radish should be firm to the touch, and the bottom root (if still intact) should look and feel hydrated – in other words, it should bounce back when you gently bend it.
Once it begins to turn soft, the taste and texture diminish even though it's technically still usable.
cut pieces: If you're only using part of the radish, leave the remaining piece unpeeled and cover the cut end with plastic wrap. Like other radishes, it's best to store thinly sliced pieces covered in cold water in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Cooked daikon will usually keep well in the fridge for at least a few days in a covered container. And pickled veggies will last for weeks in the fridge if prepared with enough vinegar.
💭 Cindy's top expert tips
- Although daikon is a pretty sturdy vegetable, the cooking time will vary based on the type of dish you're making. For soups, stews, and braised dishes, I recommend cooking it over low heat. When stir-frying or roasting, you can cook it with medium-high heat.
- Cut it according to how you'd like to make it. For example, ¼-inch slices work well for pickles or salads while thicker, 1½-inch cuts work better for soups. Check out my comprehensive chef's guide on daikon radish to learn more ways to cut it.
- Don't be put off by the strong smell after pickling or fermenting. That's just the sulfur compounds (common in cruciferous vegetables) being released and it's completely normal!
To learn more, check out my detailed chef's guide on white daikon.
💭 FAQs
Compared to red radishes or other radishes, daikon is much larger and has a less harsh peppery taste. Instead, it is slightly sweet, almost like a carrot and radish combined.
Daikon has less bitterness and is less peppery than other types of radish. It will take on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with too. So preparing it with a tart and sweet brine, in a savory stew, stir fry dish, or other recipes will naturally diminish any bitter taste.
Daikon works well both raw and cooked. White daikon is crisp and has a slight peppery flavor when raw (but less than most other types of radishes). For a more mellow taste, try using purple daikon, which is much sweeter even when uncooked!
Cooked daikon tastes similar to a sweeter turnip and has a softer texture. It's delicious in soups, stews, stir-fried dishes, and more.
💭 final thoughts
And there you have it – 20 wonderful recipes to try with this versatile root vegetable! Which one are you most inspired to try?
Let me know in the comments below.
🥬 more vegetable recipes and guides you'll enjoy
Looking for other recipes and guides like this one? Try these:
If you make any of these recipes, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @thesoundofcooking. I would love to see what you make!
Happy cooking! ~ Cindy 周昀
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