Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce

If you're looking for an easy tasty veggie recipe, check this Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce. Blanched bok choy served with a garlicky, soy and oyster sauce mix.

Jump to:

• What is Bok Choy?
• Oyster Sauce
• Sauce Options
• How to make Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce and Garlic (Step by Step)
• Storage and Reheat
• Bok Choy with Garlic Sauce Recipe
• More Delicious Bok Choy Recipes!
• Pin for later!

What is Bok Choy?

Bok choy is a type of Chinese vegetable. It is also known as Chinese cabbage, but unlike regular cabbages, they do not form heads and have leafy greens with bulbs at the bottoms.

Some describe the flavor as somewhere between spinach and water chestnuts with a slight hint of sweet and peppery undertone.

One thing to know is that when people say Bok Choy, they usually mean Shanghai Bok Choy, which is one variety of bok choy. There are several varieties of bok choy such as white dwarf bok choy, sweet bok choy, and more!

Usually, this healthy veggie (which is packed with Vitamin A and C) is stir fried in traditional Chinese dishes and makes a great side dish.  Here's how we make it at my house - making it the perfect amount of doneness, and flavorful!

If you're looking for more bok choy recipes - check out these:

• Bok Choy Stir Fry with Dried Shrimp
• Bok Choy Beech Mushrooms Stir Fry
• Bok Choy Shiitake Mushrooms Stir Fry
• Shrimp Bok Choy Stir Fry

If you're interested in learning more about Chinese veggies - here's a whole article on various Chinese vegetables such as snow peas, celtuce, sweet potato leaves, Chinese broccoli and more!

Oyster Sauce

One of the ingredients I use is Oyster Sauce, so I thought I'd introduce it to you in case you're not familiar with this sauce.

I get this question a lot - is Oyster sauce actually made with Oysters?

Short answer - yes! Oyster sauce is actually literally made by cooking oysters! It's usually made from oyster extracts, sugar, salt and cornstarch. If you think that's gross because you hate the taste of seafood, for some reason, the fishy seafood taste isn't actually… noticeable. I legit grew up not realizing that oyster sauce even had seafood in it. The flavor of oyster sauce is sweet and savory.

However, if you are vegan or vegetarian, you are in luck!

There are vegan / vegetarian oyster sauces - they are made with mushrooms instead of Oyster sauce. And this sauce is actually very tasty. I normally don't prefer the vegetarian/vegan version of things that are normally not vegetarian/vegan, but I actually prefer the mushroom oyster sauce to the normal one!

On Amazon:

L.k.k Panda Brand Oyster Sauce

Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Flavored Sauce

Kikkoman Oyster Flavored Sauce

Vegetarian Mushroom Oyster Sauce (Vegan/Vegetarian)

Sauce Options

There's actually two ways you can make the sauce:

Sauce Option 1 - This option is serving the sauce without cooking it. We usually go with this option because it's easy, and we love fresh garlic. This style is also more like "Liang Ban" style which is almost like a salad, as the food is served raw or cold. Such as the Chinese Cucumber Salad!

Sauce Option 2 - The second option is to simmer the sauce. This is also tasty as it will bring out cooked garlic flavor. The only thing is if you go with this option be sure to NOT burn the sauce. Make sure your heat is on lowest setting.

How to make Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce and Garlic (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 3 bunches of bok choy, cut in half lengthwise
• 1 teaspoon of cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 6-8 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 3 tablespoon of oyster sauce (I prefer vegetarian oyster sauce because it's made with shiitake mushrooms!)
• 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of sugar

If you haven't already slice the bok choy in half length wise.

Sauce Option 1 - In a bowl mix together sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce and sugar and mix well.

Sauce Option 2 - In a small sauce pan, add sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce and sugar and let it simmer for about 1-2 minutes (do not let it burn). Remove from heat and set aside.

Then, bring a pot of water to boil. Add oil and salt in to the water, and then add bok choy. Let it blanch for about 1-2 minutes. The color should be vibrant green. Remove and drain.

Place bok choy on plate and then drizzle the sauce over it.

Serve!

Storage and Reheat

Storage

• Fridge: Once the bok bok choy cools, store it in an air tight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
• Freezer: I do NOT recommend freezing as the bok choy will lose its crispy texture.

Reheat

• Stovetop: Place in skillet and warm on low heat with a splash of water.
• Microwave: Heat in short 30 second intervals until warmed, avoid overcooking or the bok choy may turn mushy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use baby bok choy instead of regular bok choy?
Yes! Baby bok choy is naturally more tender and works perfectly in this recipe. Just blanch for slightly less time.

What if I don't have oyster sauce?
You can use soy sauce with a pinch of sugar for a quick substitute. Or try vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce for a rich, umami flavor without seafood. (I actually prefer the mushroom oyster sauce to the regular one.)

How do I keep the bok choy bright green?
Add a little oil and salt to the blanching water, and don't overcook. Immediately draining the bok choy helps it stay crisp and vibrant

More Delicious Bok Choy Recipes!

Bok choy is one of the most beloved leafy greens in Asian cooking-tender, crisp, and perfect for stir frying! Whether you prefer it simply with garlic or paired with beef and mushrooms, these recipes make it easy (and delicious) to eat your veggies:

• Do you like Shiitake Mushrooms? I do! If you do too, check out my Shiitake Mushroom Bok Choy Stir Fry - Shiitake mushrooms bring rich, earthy depth to this dish. Paired with bok choy, it's a simple yet flavorful side that's umami-packed and super satisfying.
• If you can get your hands on it, try some Taiwan Bok Choy! It's extra tender with a naturally mild sweetness. This quick stir fry recipe brings out its delicate flavor-perfect as a light, refreshing side dish in just minutes!
• Add some protein with this Sweet Bok Choy with Beef Stir Fry! While I use a bok choy variety called sweet bok choy, you can use regular bok choy as well. This dish is a hearty, savory stir fry featuring marinated beef and sweet bok choy cooked at high heat for maximum flavor and tenderness. It's a full meal in one pan!
• This Shanghai Bok Choy Stir Fry with Garlic is a family favorite in many Chinese homes! This simple garlic stir fry highlights the natural flavor of Shanghai bok choy-clean, crisp, and comforting.

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