Allium chinense
Allium chinense is an edible species of Allium, native to China, and cultivated in many other countries. Its close relatives include the onion, scallion, leek, chive, and garlic.
Distribution
Allium chinense is native to China. It is naturalized in other parts of Asia as well as in North America.Uses
Culinary
Owing to its very mild and "fresh" taste, A. chinense is often pickled and served as a side dish in Japan and Vietnam to balance the stronger flavor of some other component in a meal. For example, in Japanese cuisine, it is eaten as a garnish on Japanese curry.In Vietnam, pickled A. chinense, known as củ kiệu, is often served during Tết.
In Japanese, it is known as rakkyō. Glass bottles of white rakkyō bulb pickles are sold in Asian supermarkets in North America.