Takes Two Eggs

Chinese Choy Sum

By: Megan•Posted: 07/10/2025 •Updated: 30/11/2025

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Prep 5 minutes
Cook 5 minutes
Total 10 minutes

Crisp and tender dark leafy greens tossed with a glossy brown garlic sauce. This Chinese choy sum recipe requires only a handful of ingredients to create a healthy side dish in less than 10 minutes.

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Chinese Choy Sum

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Chinese Choy Sum

Chinese choy sum, also known as yu choy, is one of my favorite Chinese vegetables to cook. It has a sweet, mild flavor that is less bitter than gai lan, and is so easy to whip together in under 10 minutes!

This quick and easy choy sum recipe features quickly blanched yu choy drizzled with a rich and savory garlic sauce. Chinese choy sum is the perfect side dish to accompany any lunch or dinner for a well-balanced, healthy, and flavorful meal.

Table of contents

What is Choy Sum?

Choy sum, also known as yu choy sum or yu choy, is a leafy green vegetable that is popular in Chinese cuisine. It has small yellow flowers, light green stalks, and delicate leaves. It has a mild, slightly sweet, and mustardy flavor that is less bitter and earthier than gai lan. Choy sum is a popular dim sum dish that is typically blanched and then drizzled with oyster sauce.

Chinese choy sum is an ideal vegetable side dish to accompany your other dim sum favorites such as Cantonese shu mai (pork and shrimp siu mai), Chinese turnip cake (lo bak go), baked char siu bao (Chinese BBQ pork buns), and steamed egg custard buns (liu sha bao).

Ingredients

You can find all of the ingredients for this Chinese choy sum recipe at your local Asian or Chinese grocery market. Full measurements and links to the ingredients I used are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Choy Sum: also labeled as yu choy sum, or yu choy in grocery stores.
  • Olive Oil: adds a glistening look and velvety feel to the choy sum.
  • Garlic: the primary aromatic in the sauce.
  • Oyster Sauce: is the base of the sauce that adds a rich, briny, savory flavor.
  • Soy Sauce: adds a salty umami flavor.
  • Water: to dilute the oyster and soy sauce for a more mellow sauce.
  • Sugar: to sweeten and balance the other salty savory flavors.
  • Cornstarch: is optional. Only if you would like a thicker sauce.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

  • Soy sauce alternatives: tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Oyster sauce: mushroom oyster sauce for a vegan alternative.
  • Gai lan: if yu choy sum is unavailable, you can use gai lan instead.

Additions

How to Make Chinese Choy Sum

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make this Chinese choy sum recipe.

  1. In a medium pot bring water and olive oil to a boil. Add the choy sum for 1-2 minutes then strain and place on a plate.
  1. Mix the oyster sauce, soy sauce, water, sugar and cornstarch until combined.
  1. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Then lower the heat, add the sauce, and cook for 30 seconds.
  1. Pour the sauce over the Chinese choy sum and enjoy!

Expert Tips

  • Prep the choy sum. Before cooking, wash the leaves a few times to remove any debris. For smaller pieces, feel free to slice into bite sized pieces before blanching.
  • Cornstarch is optional: if you do not mind a runnier sauce, than omit the cornstarch.
  • Quickly blanch the choy sum. The choy sum only needs about 1-2 minutes of blanching before the leaves and stalks are softened.

Storage Instructions

You can store this choy sum recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat: microwave covered with a wet paper towel until warmed. Alternatively, reheat on the stove over medium heat until warmed.

Pairing Suggestions

This Chinese choy sum is best served as a side dish, paired with the following suggestions.

FAQ

What is the difference between yu choy and choy sum?

Yu choy and choy sum are the same vegetable. It is also sometimes labeled yu choy sum. Yu choy is the Cantonese name, while choy sum is the Mandarin name.

Why do you use oil to blanch the choy sum?

Adding oil to the boiling water is a Chinese cooking technique that keeps the choy sum green and shiny while also enhancing its flavor by sealing in its natural juices. You can omit the oil if you prefer.

Additional Vegetable Recipes to Try

Chinese Choy Sum Recipe

Chinese Choy Sum

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Crisp, tender, and savory dark leafy greens tossed with a succulent, brown, and glossy garlic sauce. This simple Chinese choy sum recipe requires only a handful of ingredients to create a healthy and delicious side dish in less than 10 minutes.
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb choy sum aka yu choi or yu choy sum
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 cloves garlic roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional

Instructions

  • Cook the choy sum. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and water and bring to a boil. Boil the choy sum for 1-2 minutes until the leaves have softened and the stems remain slightly crisp. Drain and place on a serving plate.
  • Mix the sauce. In a mixing bowl, mix the oyster sauce, soy sauce, water, sugar, and cornstarch until combined.
  • Cook the sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the roughly chopped garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then lower the heat, add the sauce, and cook for 30 seconds or until the sauce has thickened.
  • Serve. Pour the sauce over the plated Chinese choy sum and enjoy immediately.

Notes

See the Expert Tips section for more guidance.

Equipment

Nutrition:

Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 2130mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 581mg | Calcium: 1112mg | Iron: 9mg

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