Have you ever tasted the sweet and savory taste of yu choy? This humble green vegetable has been a staple of Asian cuisine for centuries, and now you can enjoy it in your kitchen. This yu choy recipe is easy to make and packs a punch of flavor. In this post, I'll show you the best way to prepare Yu Choy in a savory sauce in no time. I'll also walk you through all the steps, from choosing the right yu choy to different variations to try.

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Understanding yu choy: a Chinese leafy green vegetable
Yu choy, also known as yow choy or you cai(油菜), is a green leafy vegetable that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It is part of the mustard family and is closely related to Bok Choy. Yu choy has bright green leaves, thicker stalks, and delicate whiteish-yellow flowers. Yu choy taste is a slightly bitter flavor and has a mild and tender texture. It adds a pop of color and a peppery taste to your plate. It's a popular vegetable dish that often appears in dim sum and other Chinese dishes.
In cooking, Stir fry is the most common way to serve up yu choy, as well as soups and various Chinese dishes.
Ingredients you'll need
For this delicious Yu Choy recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
Yu choy: You can find it in any Asian grocery store. Be sure to choose yu choy that looks fresh and vibrant. The leaves and stems should be crisp and green, not wilted or discolored. Try to avoid yu choy with yellowing or brown spots. The stems should snap when you bend them.
Cold water: Water for blanching the yu choy.
Vegetable oil: To make the garlic sauce. You can also use peanut oil.
Red chili peppers, bunches of green onions, and garlic cloves: I use these three ingredients to make the garlic sauce to pour over the blanched yu choy.
Cornstarch: I mix the cornstarch with an equal amount of water and add it to the sauce mixture at the end of the cooking. Cornstarch helps sauces become thicker.
Light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of sugar: They are all part of the sauce mixture.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Step-by-step directions
Start by washing the Yu Choy thoroughly. Trim the ends of the thicker stems.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the Yu Choy. Add a little salt and cooking oil to the boiling water, and blanch for about 30 seconds until the greens turn bright green. Drain and immediately transfer them to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. This will make sure they retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture. Set them on a plate and set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Mix cornstarch with the same amount of water in a separate bowl.
In a pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and minced garlic, green onion slices, and red chilis. Sauté until fragrant, which should take just a couple of minutes. Pour the pre-made sauce into the wok and cook for 1 minute, then slowly pour the cornstarch water and cook until it starts to simmer. Turn off the heat and pour the sauce into a measuring cup.
Gently drizzle the sauce over the blanched yu choy. This delicious sauce will elevate the flavor of your Yu Choy. Serve immediacy and enjoy!
Why you'll love this yu choy recipe
- It's a delicious side dish that complements many Asian dishes.
- This simple dish can be made in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or as a last-minute addition to your meal.
Other variations to try
You can use yu choy in a variety of dishes beyond stir-frying. Here are some other delicious ways to prepare yu choy:
- Yu choy soup: Add blanched or fresh yu choy to a clear or miso soup. Turn it into a nutritious and delicious comfort soup.
- Yu choy with tofu: Combine yu choy with tofu in a stir-fry or sauté. Tofu adds protein, and the yu choy provides a contrasting texture and flavor when paired together.
- Yu choy and mushrooms: Cook yu choy with your choice of mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, or others) for a flavorful and earthy combination.
- Yu choy and noodles: Add blanched yu choy to noodle dishes like lo mein or ramen for a flavorful addition.
- Yu choy in rice: Chop yu choy and stir it into fried rice or cook it with rice in a rice cooker for a one-pot meal. This is one of my favorite dishes.:)
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Yu choy is a versatile vegetable. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and cooking techniques.
Final thoughts
If you're new to Yu Choy, this easy-to-follow recipe is the perfect introduction to this delightful Chinese leafy green. Cooking up Yu Choy is a great way to add flavor and color to any meal with its vibrant colors, variety of textures, and delicious taste. So head to your local Asian market or farmer's market, pick up a bunch of Yu Choy, and give this dish a try. Let me know how it goes! I would love to hear your feedback.
Delicious Yu Choy Recipe: A Chinese Leafy Green Dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound yu choy
- cold water for blanching
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 red chili peppers
- 2 bunches of green onions
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mix with 1 tablespoon of water
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- pinch of sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by washing the Yu Choy thoroughly. Trim the ends of the thicker stems.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the Yu Choy. Add a little salt and cooking oil to the boiling water, and blanch for about 30 seconds until the greens turn bright green. Drain and immediately transfer them to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. This will make sure they retain their vibrant green color and crisp texture. Set them on a plate and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. Mix cornstarch with the same amount of water in a separate bowl.
- In a pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and minced garlic, green onion slices, and red chilis. Sauté until fragrant, which should take just a couple of minutes. Pour the pre-made sauce into the wok and cook for 1 minute, then slowly pour the cornstarch water and cook until it starts to simmer. Turn off the heat and pour the sauce into a measuring cup.
- Gently drizzle the sauce over the blanched yu choy. This delicious sauce will elevate the flavor of your Yu Choy.
- Serve immediacy and enjoy!
Karen
This is such a good idea! I will surely make this. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This dish looks so beautiful and the sauce is so easy to make too.
Anjali
I made a tofu stir fry for dinner today, and this was the perfect side dish for that recipe! It was light and flavorful - super tasty!
Ann
Great healthy veggie side dish. Thanks!
Toni
I love it! So refreshing and really tasty recipe!