also: こぶ
noun
kelp; kombu
Refers to edible kelp, especially Saccharina japonica, used in Japanese cuisine for dashi, simmered dishes, and tsukudani. The term can also cover other edible Laminariaceae species.
from Ainu
昆布でだしを取ります。
I make dashi stock with kombu.
この昆布は北海道産です。
This kombu is from Hokkaido.
Hiragana spelling, often used in everyday writing.
Katakana spelling common in culinary and commercial contexts.
Rare alternate reading; may be encountered in some dialects or older texts.
The word is likely a borrowing from Ainu language source. The exact Ainu origin is uncertain, but it may be related to Ainu words for seaweed.