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The Korean radish (Raphanus sativus var. hortensis) belongs to Brassiaceae (the Mustard family). It is an annual herb that belongs to the North China radish lineage. Compared to Japan's green-top radish, it is thicker and has a stout, oval or nearly cylindrical shape, with a root length of 20 to 30 cm. Its flesh is characterized by a slightly lower water content, a firm texture, and a good balance of sweetness and spiciness. In South Korea, it is called "Joseonmu" (조선무) and is used in kimchi varieties such as "Kakdugi" (깍두기) and "Musaengchae" (무생채), which make the most of its unique texture. Famous production areas include the high-altitude regions of Daegwallyeong (대관령) and Jinburyeong (진부령) in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in the northeast. In Japan, Hidaka City in Saitama Prefecture (formerly Koryo County, where immigrants from Goguryeo settled) is a major producer of Korean Chinese cabbage and Korean radish.
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