noun
wax gourd; winter melon
A large, mild-flavored gourd commonly used in Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Often simmered in dashi or used in soups.
冬瓜は煮物にするととろけるような食感になる。
When simmered, winter melon becomes meltingly tender.
夏に収穫した冬瓜は、冬まで保存できる。
Winter melon harvested in summer can be stored until winter.
Kana spelling, useful for learners or when the kanji is not needed.
The kanji 冬瓜 literally means 'winter melon,' referring to its ability to be stored into winter despite being harvested in summer. The reading とうがん is the standard Japanese rendering of the Chinese-derived term.