Here’s how to make Hana Renkon (花れんこん), Flower-Shape Lotus Root.
1. cut the lotus root into a 2-inch length so it’s easy to work with. Next, cut out a V-shaped notch between two holes and along the length of the root.
2. Continue cutting between the holes until you’ve cut around the entire outside of the root. The cross section of your lotus root should now resemble a flower.
3. Then, cut the root into ¼-inch slices (0.6 mm).
4. Once you’ve sliced the lotus root, add the slices to a bowl with vinegared water (1 tsp rice vinegar and 2 cups water). Soak the lotus root slices for 5 minutes to prevent them from changing color and to remove the astringent taste.
[…] Peel and cut the ginger to julienne strips (thinner the better). Peel the lotus root and cut out the edge to make a flower shape (Read my Hana Renkon tutorial). […]
[…] [Optional] If you want to make Hana Renkon (Flower Lotus Root), here is the tutorial. […]
Where do you find your lotus root? I’ve been looking for it, but they don’t even carry it at my local asian food market. Thanks 🙂
Hi Mari! I live in SF Bay Area where Asian ingredients are pretty easy to find. I usually get lotus root at Nijiya, a Japanese grocery store. They sell raw lotus root as well as this pre-boiled lotus root:
https://www.justonecookbook.com/pantry_items/lotus-root-renkon/
Chinese and Korean use lotus root, so you should be able to find if the store caters for Chinese/Korean people.
Hope you can find it. 🙂
Hi Nami, thank you for the manual. BTW the video cannot be viewed since it is private.
Hi Fujiri! Thank you for letting me know. I guess the video link doesn’t work anymore. 🙁 Maybe I’ll make my own video for this one day! 🙂
Love your tips on making these traditional Japanee dishes. Thank you.
You are welcome! 🙂