Nira (Chinese chives, Chinese leek, or garlic chives) is a species of onion with a relatively mild flavor and is often used in miso soup and stir-fried dishes. Its aroma results partly from the presence of allyl methyl sulfide, which is also found in garlic. Nira is rich in vitamins A and C, β-carotene, calcium, phosphorous, iron, and other nutrients, and is therefore said to be beneficial for boosting the immune system, recovering from fatigue, and improving digestion. Nira is also a common ingredient in Chinese and Korean dishes.Text by Kitchen Nippon

Kaoru Shibata
After a career as a radio DJ in Tokyo at JOLF, a television reporter at Nihon TV, and a foreign correspondent for the Japanese television broadcaster Fuji TV in New York, I now teach at junior colleges and emcee public and private events. My interest in food is wide-ranging. I bake bread and have published a book on salads. Contact:kitchennippon@hotmail.com
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