A humble rice bowl with burdock root and carrot is presented in a charmingly diminutive cast-iron pot ($12).

They are also starting to cultivate some specialty potatoes, unusual greens like tatsoi, which adds to a salad, and exotic items like burdock root.

Next up was Helene, who made a saffron risotto, topped with scallops that were crusted in a red pepper corn smoked sea salt, wrapped in burdock root.

"You guys want some burdock roots?"

Our noontime trays included a bowl of miso-thickened soup, a salad of shredded burdock root, and a small dessert served with delicate green tea.

He peels and poaches sweet, crunchy burdock root, then pickles it and adds it to the antipasto selection.

Maki rolls also come with pickled radish, kishu plum, pickled burdock root, fermented soybean and other stuffings.

A burdock and potato purée ($4.50), highlights the earthy flavor and unusual, slightly gooey texture of burdock root in a compelling way.

Yanagawa nabe also contains sliced burdock root and egg.

You'll be pleased to know that Ernie June soaked burdock roots in whiskey.