
Rainbow Pickles Recipe
Learn how to make authentic Wagamama-style rainbow pickles at home with this quick and easy recipe. These vibrant pickled vegetables—mooli, cucumber, aubergine, and turnip—create the perfect sweet and sour side dish that adds a refreshing crunch to any Asian-inspired meal.
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What ingredients are used in Rainbow Pickles from Wagamama?
Wagamama's Rainbow Pickles feature a colourful mix of mooli (daikon radish), cucumber, aubergine (eggplant), and turnips. The pickling liquid combines rice vinegar, sugar, salt, star anise, ginger, and optional red chilli for a perfect sweet-sour balance.
How to cook Rainbow Pickles from Wagamama at home?
Learn how to cook Rainbow Pickles from Wagamama by thinly slicing vegetables, salting them to remove moisture, then creating a sweet-sour pickling liquid with rice vinegar, sugar, and aromatics. After rinsing the vegetables, arrange them in a container, pour over the cooled pickling liquid, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before enjoying.
How long do homemade pickled vegetables last in the refrigerator?
Homemade pickled vegetables like these Japanese-style rainbow pickles will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks when stored in their pickling liquid in an airtight container. The flavours will continue to develop and deepen over the first few days.
Can I use different vegetables for Asian-style quick pickles?
Absolutely! While traditional Japanese pickles often use daikon, cucumber, aubergine and turnip, you can experiment with carrots, red cabbage, bell peppers, or radishes. The key is slicing vegetables thinly and consistently so they pickle evenly.
What dishes pair well with tangy Japanese pickles?
These vibrant pickles complement rich Asian dishes perfectly. Serve alongside katsu curry, ramen, or donburi rice bowls where their tangy crunch cuts through richness. They're also excellent with grilled meats, steamed rice, or as part of a Japanese-inspired sharing platter.