What Is Choy Sum?
Learn what choy sum or Chinese flowering cabbage is, what it tastes like, how to cook it, how it differs from bok choy and yu choy, and what to substitute.
Choy sum is a tender Chinese leafy green with slender stems, green leaves, and sometimes small yellow flowers. The name means "vegetable heart," and it is common in simple stir-fries, noodle dishes, and blanched vegetable sides.
Quick Answer
Choy sum is a mild Chinese green used in stir-fries, soups, noodles, and blanched side dishes. It is more tender than gai lan and usually cooks quickly with garlic, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, or ginger.
Chinese Flowering Cabbage
Choy sum is sometimes called Chinese flowering cabbage because it can have tender flowering stems and small yellow blossoms. The flowers are edible when young, and they are usually cooked with the stems and leaves.
In Chinese home cooking, choy sum is often treated as a quick green vegetable side rather than a long-cooked cabbage.
What Does Choy Sum Taste Like?
Choy sum tastes mild, fresh, and lightly sweet with a gentle cabbage-like flavor. The stems stay juicy while the leaves soften quickly.
It is less bitter than gai lan and often easier for beginners.
Choy Sum vs Bok Choy
Bok choy has wider pale stems and spoon-shaped leaves. Choy sum has slimmer green stems and may have small yellow flowers.
Use bok choy when you want crisp stems. Use choy sum when you want a more delicate leafy green.
Choy Sum vs Yu Choy
The names are sometimes used loosely in stores. Yu choy usually has a similar tender stem and flowering top. In home cooking, they can often be used in the same way.
How To Cook Choy Sum
Trim the ends, rinse well, and cut into manageable lengths. Stir-fry with garlic, blanch and sauce it, or add it to noodle soups near the end.
Because it cooks quickly, avoid long boiling unless you want a very soft texture.
Best Choy Sum Substitute
Yu choy, bok choy, baby bok choy, gai lan, spinach, or broccolini can work. Choose based on texture: bok choy is crunchier, while spinach is softer.
FAQs
Is choy sum the same as bok choy?
No. Choy sum has slimmer stems and tender leaves, while bok choy has wider crisp stems.
Can you eat choy sum flowers?
Yes. The small yellow flowers and tender flowering stems are commonly cooked with the rest of the vegetable.
Is choy sum Chinese flowering cabbage?
Yes. Choy sum is often called Chinese flowering cabbage because the tender stems can carry small edible yellow flowers.
What is the easiest way to cook choy sum?
Blanch it briefly or stir-fry it with garlic until the stems are tender-crisp.
Conclusion
Choy sum is a gentle, fast-cooking Chinese green. Keep the cooking brief and use simple aromatics so its tender texture stays clear.