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Hiko Ikeda Apr 19, 2003 02:09 PM

Where to buy gobo (burdock roots)

In the Bay Area, what is the best grocery store when we purchase uncooked gobo for our home cooking?

  1. w
    wally Jan 2, 2011 07:20 PM

    Monterey Market in Berkeley has a lot of it.

    1. o
      oaklandhillsgold Jan 2, 2011 04:04 PM

      Tokyo Fish Market in Berkeley, on San Pablo & Gilman in Berkeley (http://www.tokyofish.net/) carries burdock. I just was all over Oakland's China Town and didn't find it, Berkeley Bowl was closed today (on January 2nd? Slackers!). WF didn't have it.

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      Berkeley Bowl
      2020 Oregon St, Berkeley, CA 94703

      Tokyo Fish Market
      1220 San Pablo Ave, Albany, CA 94706

      2 Replies
      1. re: oaklandhillsgold
        k
        kc72 Jan 2, 2011 04:38 PM

        99 Ranch has it

        1. re: oaklandhillsgold
          Robert Lauriston Jan 3, 2011 07:47 AM

          Fresh burdock is used in Japanese and Korean cooking, so Koreana Plaza is another potential source. The Chinese dry it and use it as medicine.

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          Koreana Plaza
          2328 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA

        2. m
          mbm Apr 22, 2003 06:39 PM

          A really good source for Asian food ingredients of ALL kinds is the Sunset Super, located in SF on Irving St near 23rd Ave (or 24th or very close to there!).

          1. h
            Hiko Ikeda Apr 20, 2003 04:05 PM

            I really thank all who placed their posts below.

            The reason I asked was that I found many positive articles about gobo roots recently.
            One of them was;

            Link: http://www.christopherhobbs.com/websi...

            1. d
              DukeDee Apr 20, 2003 02:02 PM

              The Greek-run 22nd and Irving Market has that vege-
              table. while you are there, check out Zergut label
              products. Made in Bulgaria.

              1 Reply
              1. re: DukeDee
                w
                Windy Apr 20, 2003 03:37 PM

                Great store. I picked up a few boxes of Turkish Delight there. The pistachio ones and the rose-flavored ones are really good.

              2. k
                Kato Apr 19, 2003 08:28 PM

                I've seen them for sale at Maruwa Supermarket in San Francisco (corner of Post and Webster. I love fried gobo roots so much that I make myself pretty sick whenever my mother makes any. They seem to have a lot of fiber.

                2 Replies
                1. re: Kato
                  h
                  Hiko Ikeda Apr 20, 2003 03:54 PM

                  "They seem to have a lot of fiber."

                  Yes.

                  1. re: Hiko Ikeda
                    c
                    chowhoundX Apr 22, 2003 02:13 PM

                    My Japanese friend told me that he heard that during WWII, Japanese fed gobo to American prisoners-of-war. As a result, according to him, one Japanese commander was convicted of war crimes for forcing the POWs to eat "twigs." I don't think it's true, though.

                    Gobo is great, by the way, especially in kimpira.

                2. d
                  dutch Apr 19, 2003 07:34 PM

                  I have seen fresh burdock root carried at Rainbow Grocery. Also seems like the Alemany (Sat), Civic Center( Wed)or Ferry Plaza( Tues and Sat )Farmers Markets would have a grower offering it.

                  3 Replies
                  1. re: dutch
                    h
                    Hiko Ikeda Apr 20, 2003 03:52 PM

                    "I have seen fresh burdock root carried at Rainbow Grocery"

                    Where is it? Having read too many posts in different cities, I am confused.

                    1. re: Hiko Ikeda
                      j
                      jen maiser Apr 20, 2003 08:24 PM

                      Rainbow Grocery
                      1745 Folsom Street @ 13th St.
                      San Francisco
                      415.863.0620

                      Open Daily 9am - 9pm

                      Link: http://www.rainbowgrocery.coop/

                      1. re: Hiko Ikeda
                        m
                        Margot Apr 21, 2003 01:53 PM

                        Berkeley Bowl, of course. Also check out the large selection of Japanese foods in all forms and fresh fish. (The owners are Japanese-American.) Other Asian cuisines are represented but not as thoroughly.

                        Link: http://www.berkeleybowl.com

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