also: ぐんしん
noun
pungent vegetable (e.g. garlic, onion)
Rare term, mainly found in Buddhist vegetarian contexts referring to strong-smelling vegetables traditionally avoided.
精進料理では葷辛を避ける。
In Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, pungent vegetables are avoided.
Refers specifically to the five pungent vegetables (garlic, etc.) prohibited in Buddhism; 葷辛 is a broader term for such vegetables.
From Chinese 葷辛 (hūnxīn), combining 葷 (strong-smelling vegetable) and 辛 (pungent). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.