里芋 (Sato-imo)

Taro

  • さといも
  • Sato-imo
  • Pitch 0
  • plants
  • tubers

Meaning

里芋 (さといも, Sato-imo) is Taro — a Japanese food (plants, tubers).

What is Taro?

Satoimo refers to taro ( Colocasia esculenta ). It was a regional staple before rice became predominant. There is a Kyoto variety known as "shrimp taro" because of its curved shape ( ebi-imo , 海老芋 ). The tuber is often prepared through simmering in dashi and soy sauce. The stalk, zuiki (芋茎), can also be prepared a number of ways, including pickling and drying.