expression, noun
edible flower bud of giant butterbur
Refers specifically to the young flower bud of the fuki (giant butterbur) plant, harvested in early spring and used in tempura or as a sansai (mountain vegetable).
See also: フキ
春になると、ふきのとうを摘みに行く。
When spring comes, I go picking fuki buds.
ふきのとうの天ぷらはほろ苦くて美味しい。
Tempura made from fuki buds is pleasantly bitter and delicious.
フキ is the giant butterbur plant itself, while ふきのとう refers specifically to its edible flower bud.
Compound of フキ (giant butterbur) + の (possessive particle) + トウ (from 薹, meaning 'stalk' or 'shoot'). The word refers to the young flower shoot of the butterbur plant.