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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers/Sides

    Chinese Garlic Bok Choy

    Modified: May 7, 2025 · Published: May 10, 2022 by Christie Lai · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Video

    Tender bok choy blanched and dressed in a savoury garlicky soy sauce with a hint of sesame. This quick and easy Chinese Garlic Bok Choy is ready in 10 minutes with simple ingredients. Great as a healthy vegetable side dish for the family!

    Chinese Garlic Bok Choy
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutes
    • Expert Tips
    • Instructions
    • Storage 
    • Pairing Suggestions
    • FAQ
    • More Like This
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Garlic Bok Choy features bok choy leaves blanched and topped off with a thick brown sauce made of garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, sugar, water and cornstarch. It's absolutely delicious!

    This is a very popular Chinese vegetable dish that is served at many Chinese restaurants or for takeout for good reason!

    The bok choy is packed with flavor thanks to the garlic sauce, making it a delicious way to add more fibre to your diet!

    Chinese Garlic Bok Choy

    If you like a spicy version of this dish, try my Spicy Garlic Bok Choy instead. This version here is not spicy, making it more suitable for kids and those who can't tolerate spice.

    Why you'll love this recipe:

    • packed with umami flavor!
    • easily made with minimal ingredients in little time!
    • made in one-pan for easy cleanup.
    • great for large families and picky eaters.
    • a fantastic way to add fibre to your diet.
    • better and cheaper than takeout!

    Ingredients & Substitutes

    Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements. 

    ingredients to make this recipe
    • Regular Bok Choy: or substitute with baby bok choy and slice into halves. Or substitute with yu choy sum or gai lan. Bok choy is available at most Asian grocery stores.

    Garlic Sauce

    • Garlic Cloves
    • Oyster Sauce: or substitute with vegetarian stir fry sauce. If you're gluten-free, substitute with a gluten free oyster sauce.
    • Regular Soy Sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you're gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce.
    • Shaoxing Wine: a Chinese rice cooking wine available at Asian grocers. Or substitute with dry sherry wine, dry white wine or chicken broth.
    • Sesame Oil
    • Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch or tapioca starch to thicken the sauce.
    • White Granulated Sugar: or substitute with cane sugar.
    • Water: room temperature or cold.

    Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry most of the Asian specific ingredients.

    Expert Tips

    • Rinse bok choy very well with cold running water, especially in between the leaves to remove hidden dirt or insects.
    • Only blanch greens until vibrant green for at most 30-45 seconds or until it turns vibrant green. You don't want to over cook them or they will turn soggy.
    • Add neutral oil to boiling water. This is optional but by adding 1 teaspoon of oil into the water, it’ll help make your greens shiny and vibrant. I use any neutral tasting oil, like avocado or vegetable oil.

    Instructions

    Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make garlic bok choy:

    Slice regular or baby bok choy into halves. Wash in-between the leaves of your bok choy to remove hidden dirt, until water runs clear.
    1. Slice bok choy into halves. Wash in-between the leaves of your bok choy to remove hidden dirt, until water runs clear.
    In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.
    1. In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.
    Fill a large pan or wok with enough water and bring to boil on high heat. Then blanch the bok choy until the leaves turn vibrant green, about 30-45 seconds. Strain immediately.
    1. Fill a large pan or wok with enough water and bring to boil on high heat. Then blanch the bok choy until the leaves turn vibrant green, about 30-45 seconds. Strain immediately.
    Transfer the bok choy to a large serving plate.
    1. Transfer the bok choy to a large serving plate.
    In a dry pan on medium heat, pour in the sauce and simmer to thicken.
    1. In a dry pan on medium heat, pour in the sauce and simmer to thicken.
    Pour the thickened sauce over the greens and enjoy!
    1. Pour the thickened sauce over the greens and enjoy!

    Storage 

    • Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
    • Freezer friendly? I don't recommend freezing this dish as the leaves may turn mushy.

    Pairing Suggestions

    Garlic bok choy serves well with:

    • starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
    • white or brown rice, cauliflower rice, or fried rice
    • chow mein, lo mein, plain noodles, soup noodles 
    • protein dishes like Sweet Chili Chicken, Szechuan Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Shrimp Omelet, Soy Garlic Tofu, Chinese Braised Tofu and more!

    FAQ

    Can I make this in advance? 

    Garlic bok choy can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave or in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat until hot.

    More Like This

    • Chinese Broccoli Stir Fry
    • Steamed Garlic Bok Choy
    • Stir Fried Snow Pea Leaves
    • Easy Garlic Green Beans
    • Chinese Broccoli with Garlic Sauce
    • Chinese Garlic Yu Choy

    📖 Recipe

    Easy 10-min. Chinese Garlic Bok Choy

    Christie Lai
    Chinese Garlic Bok Choy. Tender bok choy blanched and coated in a savoury garlicky oyster soy sauce with a hint of sesame. Ready in 10 minutes with simple ingredients!
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 8 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4 as a side
    Calories per serving 79 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1.50 lb Bok Choy or baby bok choy

    Sauce

    • 6 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce or vegetarian stir fry sauce
    • 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine or Dry Sherry Wine / sake / dry white wine
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch or potato starch / tapioca starch
    • ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar or cane sugar
    • ½ cup water cold

    Instructions
     

    • Slice bok choy into halves. Wash in-between the leaves of your bok choy to remove hidden dirt, until water runs clear.
    • In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.
    • Fill a large pan or wok with enough water and bring to boil on high heat. Then blanch the bok choy until the leaves turn vibrant green, about 30-45 seconds. Strain immediately.
    • Transfer the bok choy to a large serving plate.
    • In a dry pan on medium heat, pour in the sauce and simmer to thicken.
    • Pour the thickened sauce over the greens and enjoy!
    Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    • Wok
    • Cutting Board
    • Santoku Knife
    • Steel Colander
    • Measuring Set
    • Kitchen Scale
    Nutrition
    Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 861mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7600IU | Vitamin C: 78mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Easy Simple Appetizers & Side Dishes

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      Honey Garlic Shrimp
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Annara

      May 09, 2025 at 6:13 am

      5 stars
      Delicious. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        May 09, 2025 at 7:16 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe and for leaving such a kind review! Have a lovely day too, Annara!

        Reply
    2. Darrell Henri

      June 12, 2024 at 6:46 am

      5 stars
      First time cooking Bok Choy and it was delicious. Family wanted more….
      Thank you….
      Darrell

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        June 17, 2024 at 4:25 pm

        I'm very happy to read this and so happy you and your family enjoyed my recipe! Thank you so much for making it!

        Reply
    3. Corazon Dunn

      April 03, 2024 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      It is really delicious! I finally cooked bokchoy in a different way! I always just put in in soups. This time I can enjoy it without the soup. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        April 03, 2024 at 2:09 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe and for leaving this positive review! Happy you enjoyed it this way 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lee

      March 27, 2024 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      Christie, your recipe is spot on. I prepared it along with steamed pot stickers and it was perfect. I used fresh baby bok choy from our farmers market and my steamed pot stickers. Your sauce is exactly what I have been searching for and it was incredible. I made sure all of the water was drained off the finished bok then added the finished pot stickers on top. I ladled the sauce on top of it and it was, not only beautiful, but absolutely delicious!! No restaurant could be this!! Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        March 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe and for sharing your positive experience, Lee! So happy to hear that it was better than the restaurant and glad it worked well with your delicious sounding meal 🙂 Have a great day!

        Reply
    5. Dianne

      February 06, 2024 at 9:27 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! It was easily adapted for a vegan main dish: I sauteed sliced cremini mushrooms and diced red onion, then tofu (pressed and cubed) and set them aside, before following your directions. Before adding the incredible sauce to the drained bok choy, I put the other ingredients in the pan. With brown rice, this was both easy and filling. We're definitely going to have this delicious meal often!

      Reply
      • Christie Lai

        February 16, 2024 at 12:07 pm

        Thanks so much for making my recipe and for leaving your kind review, Dianne! Glad it all worked out with those additions and it all sounds so good!

        Reply
    6. Dan T

      November 02, 2023 at 6:57 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent

      Reply
      • christieathome

        November 03, 2023 at 8:06 pm

        Thanks so much for making my recipe and for the kind review, Dan!

        Reply
    7. Yudon

      August 02, 2023 at 7:31 am

      Totally enjoyed this recipe! I added slightly more garlic, sugar and substituted corn flour with potato flour (ran out of the former). Reminds me of what you get when you order at restaurants. Easy to prep too, the most 'tedious' part for me was washing the veg and chopping the garlic. Thanks Christie!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        August 02, 2023 at 7:48 pm

        Thanks so much for making my recipe, Yudon! Happy you enjoyed it and glad it was like what you ordered at the restaurant.

        Reply
    8. Khanh

      June 21, 2023 at 7:34 pm

      5 stars
      love, love, love this simple and delicious recipe! Making it again tonight for dinner. thank you!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        June 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm

        Amazing! Thanks for making it and I hope you enjoy it again!

        Reply
    9. Yudon

      January 27, 2023 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      Very impressed! Turned my bok choy into an exciting and delicious side dish. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        January 27, 2023 at 2:27 pm

        Thanks so much Yudon! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    10. Jen

      May 10, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      My new favourite vegetable side dish. Will be making again and again!!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        May 10, 2022 at 8:43 pm

        Thanks for making my recipe! Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️

        Reply
    11. Linda

      October 28, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      I need to make this again! It was so good and easy.

      Reply
    12. Kim Lange

      September 25, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so simple and deliciously healthy! YUM!

      Reply
    13. Tasia ~ two sugar bugs

      August 17, 2020 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      Bok choy is something I don't make nearly enough because I love it!!! Can't wait to try this quick version!

      Reply
    14. Sherri

      August 14, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      OHHHEMMMMGEEEEEEE! I am literally obsessed with bok choy and buy tons of it every week at our farmers market. I usually stir fry it or add it ramen but THIS just takes it to a whole new level. The flavor profile is amazing! Can't wait to try! 🙂

      Reply
      • christieathome

        August 14, 2020 at 4:24 pm

        Thanks so much Sherri! One of my favourite ways to cook it! Glad I could share it with you!

        Reply
    15. Cambrea gordon

      August 05, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      Christie's recipe for Bok Choy is absolutely the best I have ever had. This was the first time I had ever made bok choy that wasn't super bitter and it was SO easy! The flavor of it is delicious and it went really well with her sweet and sour chicken recipe!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        August 05, 2020 at 12:20 pm

        Thank you so much for making my Bok Choy Cam! Happy to hear you enjoyed it and it was easy to make! It's one of my favourite veggie recipes.

        Reply

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    Christie

    Christie is an Recipe Blogger with an expertise on Asian recipes! She makes Asian cooking approachable with step-by-step pictures, ingredient & recipe tips and a helpful cooking video. Her quick and easy recipes have been featured on BuzzFeed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn, The FeedFeed, Sur La Table, Yummly and more! With a following of over 1M+, her recipes are made repeatedly by her loyal readers.

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