What is Tong Ho?
Tong Ho (chrysanthemum coronarium) is part of the Daisy family (Compositae). This is an annual herb, which grows to 30 cm high, and can reach over 60 cm when flowering. It originated in the Mediterranean area, spreading throughout Europe and into Africa and Asia. It is very popular as a green vegetable in Japan, China and Taiwan.
The sales of Tong Ho have increased in the last 20 years due to the increasing population of Vietnamese in London.
The largest leaves are about 13 cm long and 4 cm wide, but most are smaller than this. The flowers generally look like a daisy, and are 3-6 cm in diameter. The petals can vary in colour between white, yellow and orange, and are often a pale creamy yellow on the outer edge, but towards the centre a deeper yellow. The Tong Ho leaves are bluntly lobed, uniformly green, and rather rough (not shiny smooth).
Other Tong Ho Names
Tung Ho or Chong Ho (Cantonese), Tong Hau, Chrysanthemum Greens, Garland Chyrsanthemum, Tung hao or Hao zi gan (Mandarin), and in Japanese Shungiku (spring chrysanthemum), Shingiku or Kikuna.
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Where to buy Tong Ho?
Tong Ho can be found at most specialist Oriental outlets. For trade sales enquiries, please contact office@rokewood.co.uk or call us on 01945 583033.
How To Prepare & Cook Tong Ho
The Tong Ho's unique chrysanthemum taste makes it a popular ingredient for the Chinese winter hot pot fondue. This fondue is basically the use of a stock instead of cheese. Tong Ho is also used to compliment beef, lamb and other meat stews.
The Chinese sometimes stir-fry Tong Ho as a vegetable on its own. The Cantonese generally use it only in hotpots or soup. A quick version of a Chinese hotpot is to simply flavour boiling water with shreds of lean pork or chicken, add the Tong Ho and then season with light soy sauce, and serve.
Alternatively, young Tong Ho leaves can be used raw in salads, mixed with other leafy greens or with tomatoes, bean sprouts and served with sesame oil dressing.
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