Ethanol extracts from 36 vegetable samples were assayed for their growth-promoting effects on Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum, and Lactobacillus casei The growth-promoting effects varied according to bacterial strain and vegetable species. In modified Gy rgy broth, extracts of Lactuca sativa, Lycopersicon esculentum and L escutentum var. cerasiforme exhibited strong growth-promoting responses toward B. longum, and significant and strong growth- promoting response toward B. bifidum was observed in extracts of Actinidia arguta, Allium cepa, A. sativum, Brassica campestris subsp. napus vats. pekinensis, Capsicum frutescens, Daucus carota var. sativa, L sativa, 1. esculentum and L. esculentum var. cerasforme, Nelumbo nucifera, Cucurbita moschata, Lackca sativa var. capitata, and Rubus coreanus. For L casei, extracts of A. fshlosum, A. hberosum, Cichorium intbus, Cucurbita moschatulcorner Ipomoea batatas, 1. sativa var. capitata, L. esculentum, P. brachycarpa, Raphanus sativus, R. coreanus, and S. melongena strongly enhanced the growth of this bacteria. In modified Gy rgy broth, the promoting effect was most pronounced with B. bifidum and L. casei among lactic acid bacteria used. In MRS broth, A. arguta, A. cepa, A. sativum, B. campestris subsp. napus var. pekinensis, C. frutescens, and D. carota var. sativa L. satiw var. capitata, and R. coreanus strongly enhanced the growth of B. bifidum, Growth of B. longum was strongly affected by the addition of extracts from L. sativa var. capitata. For L casei, moderate growth-promoting responses were observed in 9 vegetable extracts. The promoting effect in MRS broth was most pronounced with B. bifidum among lactic acid bacteria used.