China via Tokyo, Japan
Origin: China via Tokyo, Japan
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~400
Germination tested 11/2025: 75%
Life cycle: Annual
Also known as "Shandong cabbage", "Napba", "Hakusai-na", "Bekana", "Santouna", and "Santousai", 'Tokyo Bekana' is a tasty, fast-growing Chinese mustard green, said to have been brought to Japan by returning soldiers who fought in China during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905. The pale green leaves are slightly frilly, very much resembling a nice Romaine lettuce. It has a somethat thick mid-rib that is crunchy and delicious. Once cooked, its flavor and consistency can be compared to bok choy, komatsuna, or napa cabbage. The raw plant, which is good in salads or kimchi, has a slight peppery bite on top of its subtle sweetness. It's great for microgreens or baby greens too. Due to its fast-growing nature, astronauts have experimented with growing it aboard the International Space Station!
Our seed comes from our friends Cody Egan and Dylan Bruce of Driftless Seed Supply in Wisconsin.
GROWING TIPS: Direct-sow in early spring (can be succession sown as well). Microgreens are ready in 6-10 days, baby greens by around 21 days, and mature heads between just 45 and 50 days. Leave to bolt if you're interested in producing seeds.
