ngó sen
Definition
- Noun:
- Lotus stem / lotus rhizome: The edible, crunchy, tubular stem (technically a rhizome) of the lotus plant (Nelumbo nucifera), commonly used in Vietnamese and Asian cuisine. It is often characterized by its distinctive, lacy hole pattern when sliced crosswise.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Ngó sen có thể ăn sống hoặc nấu chín. (Lotus stem can be eaten raw or cooked.)
- Món gỏi ngó sen rất thanh mát. (The lotus stem salad is very refreshing.)
- Cô ấy mua ngó sen về để nấu canh. (She bought lotus stems to make soup.)
Advanced Usage
- "Ngó sen ngâm chua ngọt": sweet and sour pickled lotus stems.
- Ngó sen ngâm chua ngọt là một món khai vị ngon. (Sweet and sour pickled lotus stems are a delicious appetizer.)
Variants and Related Words
Củ sen (n): lotus root; this refers to the thicker, tuberous part of the rhizome, while "ngó sen" typically refers to the more delicate, stem-like sections.
- Củ sen thường được thái lát để xào. (Lotus root is often sliced for stir-frying.)
Hoa sen (n): lotus flower.
- Hoa sen là quốc hoa của Việt Nam. (The lotus flower is the national flower of Vietnam.)
Synonyms
- Lotus rhizome: the underground stem of the lotus plant.
- Lotus stem: a common culinary term for the edible stalk.
Related Idioms
- While there are no direct idioms with "ngó sen," the lotus plant features in many Vietnamese proverbs praising purity and resilience, as it grows from muddy water to produce a beautiful flower.