Stir-fried Very Baby Bok Choy Recipe - Viet World Kitchen (2024)

By Andrea Nguyen


Today is a light eating day because I'm leaving on a business trip to Asia tonight. Before I fly anywhere, I try to consume modest fare that won't upset my stomach. For this evening -- it was brown rice (Rory cooked up a blend of Golden Phoenix brand of Thai red and brown jasmine), seared tofu and this nice little stir-fried vegetable.

I know, the bok choy is tiny. (The photo here was taken from my 14-inch wok. ) I'm not one to fall all over mini vegetables, like mini zucchini or carrots that look cute but have no substance. However, on Clement Street in San Francisco, I found some super fresh tiny bok choy. Sometimes called "Extra Dwarf Pak Choi" (see Kitizawa Seed company's description) the 2-inch high little lovelies were chubby, compact, and full of flavor. I got a bag (about 11/2 pounds) for this simple stir-fry with garlic and oyster sauce. My last homemade meal was made spectacular by this dish.

Stir-fried Baby Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic

1 ½ pounds very baby (dwarf) bok choy, each one halved lengthwise

Flavoring sauce:
½ teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
11/2 teaspoons canola oil or sesame oil
2 teaspoons water

1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
11/2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the bok choy. When the water returns to a boil, let the vegetables cook for another minute, until just tender. Drain, flush with cold water and set aside.

2. Combine the flavoring sauce ingredients. Taste and make any adjustments needed. You want a savory-briny-sweet taste. Set aside.

3. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, ginger and garlic. Cook for about 30 to 45 seconds until aromatic. Add the bok choy, give things a stir and cook for about 2 minutes, until heated through. Raise the heat to medium-high, add the flavoring sauce and keep cooking for another minute or so, stirring, to coat the vegetables well. The bok choy will weep a bit of water.

4. Give the cornstarch a stir before adding it to the vegetables. Cook for another 30 seconds, or until thickened, and glossy. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie

    I love bok choy with oyster sauce

  2. Andrea Nguyen

    Try to find these little ones. They are very tasty!

  3. Diane

    I've been buying these little babies lately at Berkeley Bowl and enjoying them immensely. Somehow their very tinyness makes them more fun and more tasty. I usually just blanche them and toss with oyster sauce and a drop of sesame oil. Mmmmmmmmm.....

  4. Andrea Nguyen

    Berkeley Bowl is a smart place to shop! My guess is that you can get some at the East Bay farmers' markets too.

  5. Super Mario

    I am a self-confessed stir-fried addict! I just love how it tastes and the variety it has! Tomorrow, I will try making this out and see if I can.

  6. Red Bottom shoes

    I recently read a newspaper article on the rampant spread of child abuse . The deplorable problem of the widespread abuse of innocent children has aroused public concern nationwide .

  7. Canada Goose

    No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won’t make you cry.

  8. Vicky

    This sounds delicious. I tried bok choy for the first time a few months ago and now it's my new favorite vegetable!

  9. marlon

    The deplorable problem of the widespread abuse of innocent children has aroused public concern nationwide .

  10. Nickle

    Great Recipe! it really is and must be appreciated by all! 🙂

  11. Mr. Cooking Grill

    I can't wait to try this one.

  12. Sheetal

    I just made this dish. The taste was exactly what I wanted! Thank you for sharing your yummy recipe Andrea.

    • Andrea Nguyen

      Yay! Thanks for taking time to comment!

Stir-fried Very Baby Bok Choy Recipe - Viet World Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between baby bok choy and bok choy? ›

What is the difference between regular bok choy and baby bok choy? There is virtually no difference between regular-sized bok choy and baby bok choy. Baby bok choy is harvested earlier than regular-sized bok choy, and as a result, the vegetable is naturally smaller and overall is a bit sweeter.

Should I soak bok choy before cooking? ›

The stalks of bok choy are prone to grit, much like leeks, so be sure to clean bok choy thoroughly before cooking. The simplest way to prep bok choy is to cut it in half lengthwise and submerge it in cold water for a few minutes. This will soften the dirt and allow you to remove it easily.

What part of bok choy do you eat in stir fry? ›

The cool thing is that both the leaves and the stalks can be eaten, and this wonderful little plant is an excellent go-to for fiber, as well as for beta-carotene and vitamins C, K and A.

Which is healthier spinach or bok choy? ›

In equivalent raw weight, bok choy contains more vitamin C, vitamin A, and some other nutrients than spinach and around the same amount of calcium. Spinach, however, contains higher amounts of some other nutrients, including vitamin K, than bok choy.

Is bok choy good for high blood pressure? ›

The vegetable is also high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which help to reduce your blood pressure naturally. Some studies show that eating sufficient potassium can help to lower sodium-induced high blood pressure.

Does bok choy come back after cutting? ›

Harvest bok choy as the plant forms a good size with thick stems usually 7- 10 weeks after planting. As bok choy can regrow, it is possible to harvest up to half the plant, which encourages new leaf growth. To harvest cut at the base of the stem.

Is it OK to eat bok choy everyday? ›

A meta-analysis and review of research in the journal Food Chemistry found that eating 100 grams of cruciferous vegetables, such as bok choy, every day was associated with a 10% reduction in the risk of death from any cause. (100 grams of cooked bok choy is a little more than a half-cup.)

Are you supposed to eat the stems of bok choy? ›

It has thick, juicy stems and mild, sweet leaves, making it the perfect gateway veggie if you're not sold on kale and collards. The best part? It's edible, stalk, stem and all! You'll find the full-sized version in most grocery stores, where you may also see baby bok choy.

Do you eat the white part of baby bok choy? ›

You can consume all parts of the bok choy plant, including its white stems and green leaves. Here are some ideas for how to prepare and eat bok choy: Chop it and sauté it with olive oil, garlic, and ginger as a side dish or to top a grain like rice or quinoa. Dice it and add it to an Asian-inspired soup recipe.

Do you cut bok choy for stir fry? ›

How do you cut bok choy for stir-fry? Slice the bok choy in half or quarter lengthwise for stir-fry. If using a large bok choy, dice it into bite sizes first. Bok choy has a mild and subtle cabbage-like flavor and a slightly bitter taste.

How do you make stir fry taste like a restaurant? ›

Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, green onions, chilies and spices. These ingredients are typically added to the oil first to infuse it with flavor. You won't need much; a few teaspoons to a tablespoon of total aromatic ingredients per person adds a serious amount of flavor.

Is there any part of bok choy you can't eat? ›

Bok Choy, also known as Chinese White Cabbage, is a cruciferous vegetable that is a member of the cabbage family. It has a round tender white bulb on the bottom with long celery-looking stalks and dark leafy greens on top. The entire vegetable is edible and can be enjoyed either raw or cooked.

How long does bok choy last in the fridge? ›

Bok choy can be refrigerated for 3 to 7 days. Place the unwashed bok choy in a breathable plastic bag in the crisper. If you need to store the bok choy for a longer period of time, you can boil it in water for 2 minutes and then rinse with cold water and place the bok choy in the freezer.

Can you use baby bok choy instead of bok choy? ›

Baby Bok Choy

These smaller bok choy just need to be washed thoroughly before you add them to the dish. If you are using baby bok choy instead, consider adding a little more of the vegetable than the recipe calls for, since the flavor won't be as strong as the adult vegetable.

Can you use bok choy in place of baby bok choy? ›

Each head of baby bok choy is roughly the diameter of a soda can. You can use regular bok choy instead of baby bok choy, although I prefer the sweeter and more delicate flavor of baby bok choy.

Is baby bok choy more tender? ›

Baby bok choy has a slightly milder flavor, a tenderer texture and a higher ratio of green leaves to stem than does mature bok choy.

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