Fukujinzuke


Fukujinzuke is a condiment in Japanese cuisine, commonly used as relish for Japanese curry. In fukujinzuke, vegetables including daikon, eggplant, lotus root and cucumber are finely chopped, then pickled in a base that is flavored with soy sauce. The result has a crunchy texture.

Relation to Japanese folklore

The name originates from the tale of Seven [Lucky Gods]. In homage to the name, some varieties of fukujinzuke consists of seven different kind of vegetables, adding sword beans, Perilla frutescens [var. crispa|perilla], shiitake mushrooms and/or sesame seeds to the four main ingredients. Lotus root is sometimes replaced with the similarly sweet and crunchy carrot, and the red varieties often add sliced beetroot for color.