Stir-Fried Choy Sum (Qing Chao Cai Xin)
清炒菜心 · cantonese cuisine · Canton
Choy sum is prized in Chinese home cooking for its tender stalks and mild, slightly sweet flavor. It is rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin A, and its vitamin C is valued for supporting immunity and heart health. The key to this dish is speed: overcooking makes the greens limp and robs them of nutrients and texture, so keep the heat high and the cooking brief.
Roy DelgadoWeekend backyard smoker guy from San Antonio. Brisket is my love language. Still chasing that perfect bark and happy to share my failures too.Nutrition & allergens
No supported allergens detected from surveyed ingredients.
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (4 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- 34.3(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Protein (g)
- 2.1(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Fat (g)
- 1.9(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Carbs (g)
- 3(Main ingredients only; seasoning not counted)
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
bai cai tai ［ cai tai ， cai xin ］白菜苔［菜苔，菜心］
10.58 oz
salt盐
0.11 oz
0.21 oz
scallion葱花
as needed
Techniques you'll use
- Aromatic blooming (bao xiang) ↗
Bloom ginger, garlic, and chili in hot oil to build the aroma base.
- Stir-frying ↗
Cook small pieces in stages, then bring them together while their textures are distinct.
Steps
- 1
Step 1
Rinse the choy sum clean and cut it into sections.
✅ Done when: The greens are washed free of grit and cut into even, manageable sections.
Heat the oil until very hot (about 80% heat), add the chopped scallions, and stir-fry until fragrant.
✅ Done when: The scallions are sizzling and release a fragrant aroma.
Add the choy sum and stir-fry until it turns bright green and is just cooked through.
✅ Done when: The choy sum has turned a vivid green color and is just tender-crisp, not limp.
- 4
Step 4
Add the salt, toss to combine evenly, and serve.
✅ Done when: The salt is evenly distributed and the greens glisten, ready to serve.