If you’re lucky enough to live near an Asian market, you might have seen a great variety of Chinese greens. They might all look similar and have obscure names. If you want to learn more about how to cook with Asian greens to eat healthier, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve shared classic Chinese greens recipes such as Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Watercress Stir Fry, Chrysanthemum Salad, Celtuce Stir Fry with Eggs. Today I want to share this simple and fast choy sum recipe, which is a popular one at dim sum restaurants. It takes no time to prepare, is rich in taste, and brings out the nice flavor from this tender vegetable.
What is Choy Sum
Choy sum, also known as “cai xin (菜心)” or “yu choy sum (油菜心),” is a leafy green vegetable commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It belongs to the Brassica family, which includes vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and bok choy. It has a texture that’s somewhere between Chinese broccoli and baby bok choy. It has a look that is similar to that of Chinese broccoli, but the stalk is less meaty. Sometimes you will see them at the market bearing yellow flowers (they’re edible, but taste slightly bitter). Once cooked, its texture is quite similar to that of bok choy. Choy sum is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and fiber, making it a nutritious addition to meals.
Ingredients
You only need five ingredients besides oil (oil is usually not counted as an ingredient):
Choy sum Garlic Light soy sauce Oyster sauce Sugar
How to prepare choy sum
Preparing choy sum is quite simple. Before cooking, you want to soak it in cold tap water for a couple of minutes, then rinse it thoroughly. This will help remove any pesticide residue and dirt from the vegetables. If the choy sum you purchased is short and young, like the ones I show in the picture, you only need to chop off the ends. But if your choy sum is quite long (the more mature plant), you might consider chopping the stems and leaves into large bite-size pieces, about 3” (7 cm) long. This way it is easier to serve and eat the vegetables.
How to cook choy sum with garlic sauce
Now you will have a plate of delicious and refreshing green veggies, and this is a great way to help you consume a lot of greens.
How to serve choy sum
In Cantonese cooking, choy sum is often served at dim sum restaurants along with other small plates. In northern China, we enjoy serving this dish with many other types of main dishes. Consider serving it with:
Cantonese Shumai with Pork and Shrimp (烧麦, Shao Mai) Air Fryer Char Siu Pork (空气炸锅叉烧肉) Easy Chinese Steamed Chicken Walnut Shrimp Instant Pot Fish Congee Chicken Mei Fun
More delicious Chinese veggie recipes
Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry 4-Ingredient Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry Chinese Pickled Cabbage (A Quick Pickle Recipe) Curried Vegan Green Bean Casserole Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad
