Kucai is
Indonesian word for "Garlic Chives". There are two (2) varieties/forms of Garlic chives: (1) the cultivated form which is called Allium tuberosum; and (2)
wild form which is called A. Ramosun. Kucai is relatively new for the English-speaking world, but said to be well-known in Asian
cuisine. Garlic chive taste more like a garlic than a chive, but milder than real garlic. Both leaves and the stalks of the
flowers are used as a
flavoring similarly to chives, green
onions or garlic and are used as a stir fry ingredient. In China, they are often used to make
dumplings with a combination of egg,
shrimp and pork. They are a common
ingredient in
Chinese Jiaozi dumplings and the
Japanese and
Korean equivalents. The flowers may also be used as a
spice. In
Vietnam, the leaves of garlic chives are cut up into
short pieces and used as the only
vegetable in a
soup of
broth and
sliced pork kidneys.
I have never seen garlic Chives in the Philippines, but I tasted Garlic Chives the first time here in
Germany. I found it in the frozen section of the Asian market where I frequently visit and got curious. At home, I experimented and just dip it in hot
water and put a bit of soy
sauce, and it worked. It has a lovely
taste - garlicky, but milder. I think if I make
Arroz Caldo, Kucai (
garlic Chives) can be a tasty
topping. I am excited to find out, if it is available in the Philippines.
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