Bamboo shoots are used in a wide variety of Chinese dishes. In Japan, they're known as takenoko. They are often added to stir-fries, salads, and rice. While they may look toxic, bamboo shoots are perfectly safe to eat. They contain compounds called cyanide alkaloids, which inhibit the enzyme cytochrome oxidase. This means that the tenderer the shoot, the greater its concentration of cyanide. Thankfully, bamboo shoots contain enough potassium to prevent high blood pressure.