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Takuan: Pickled Daikon

  • Writer: Eiten
    Eiten
  • Jul 7
  • 1 min read

Updated: Aug 25

The origin story of takuan (pickled daikon) is interesting. It is said to take its name from a Zen Buddhist monk by the name of Sōhō Takuan. As the story goes, Takuan was visited by Tokugawa Iemitsu, who was perhaps hungry, though some accounts say he suffered from an upset stomach. With nothing to offer but this simple fermented radish, he sliced it and offered it to the shōgun. Iemitsu was so thankful that he declared that the pickle should bear Takuan’s name moving forward.


Watercolor illustration of Takuan (pickled daikon) slices on a blue plate and beside it.
Takuan: Pickled Daikon Radish by Eiten Higgins © 2025 Tenzo's Kitchen LLC



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