Bamboo Shoot

Bamboo shoots are the young, edible shoots of various bamboo species, harvested shortly after they emerge from the ground while still tender, and sold fresh, dried or canned. They are a staple ingredient across East, South and Southeast Asian cooking, used in stir-fries, soups and curries and as a topping for dishes such as Japanese ramen, where fermented bamboo shoot known as menma is common. Fresh bamboo shoots contain naturally occurring cyanogenic compounds and must be thoroughly boiled before eating to destroy these toxins, a preparation step that is a non-negotiable part of using them safely.