Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sauropus androgynus: A perennial shrub whose small, oval, green leaves are commonly used as a leafy green vegetable in Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in soups.
   • Katuk / Star gooseberry: The common English names for this plant, known for its mild, slightly sweet, and bitter flavor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Canh rau ngót nấu với thịt bằm rất thanh mát. (Katuk leaf soup cooked with minced pork is very refreshing.)
  • Rau ngót là một loại rau giàu dinh dưỡng. (Katuk is a highly nutritious leafy green.)

Advanced Usage

• "rau ngót Nhật": A common variant name for the related plant "Okinawan spinach" (Gynura bicolor), which has green leaves with purple undersides and is used similarly.
  • Rau ngót Nhật cũng thường được dùng để nấu canh. (Okinawan spinach is also often used to cook soup.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rau bồ ngót (n): An alternative name for the same plant in some regions of Vietnam.
  • Ở miền Trung, người ta gọi nó là rau bồ ngót. (In Central Vietnam, people call it rau bồ ngót.)

Synonyms

• Katuk: The most common English name.
• Star gooseberry: Another English name referencing its small, star-shaped fruits.
• Sweet leaf bush: A descriptive name highlighting its flavor.

Related Culinary Terms

• Canh rau ngót: A clear soup featuring katuk leaves as the primary vegetable.
  • Canh rau ngót thường được các bà mẹ cho con nhỏ ăn. (Katuk leaf soup is often given to young children by their mothers.)