Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce (Gai Lan)

This recipe is for Chinese Broccoli, which is one of Yum Cha’s most loved vegetable dishes. A delicious garlic ginger Oyster Sauce drizzled over steamed Chinese Broccoli (called Gailan). Despite what you may read in other recipes, it’s not just plain Oyster Sauce – you need other flavourings!

Chinese Broccoli and Oyster Sauce

Real “restaurant style” Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce is NOT just oyster sauce (despite what you will read in many recipes claiming it is that simple!).

A sauce made with just oyster sauce will just taste of that – plain oyster sauce dolloped on greens. And if you’re happy with that, then there’s no need to read further because this recipe for real Restaurant Style Chinese Greens with Oyster Sauce has more than 1 ingredient in the sauce!

It tastes like – Steamed Chinese Broccoli tastes like broccolini stems with spinach leaves. Smothered in a sweet-savoury garlic ginger sauce that will make anything delicious, it’s no wonder this is the most popular vegetable dish at Yum Cha!

This is the steamed Chinese Greens dish you’ll find at Yum Cha!

Chinese Broccoli (“Gai Lan”)

Here’s a good look at the Chinese broccoli, raw. Chinese names the broccoli “Chinese Broccoli”. Gai Lan.

It’s called Chinese BroccoliBecause the stem is the same texture as broccoli, The leaves look and taste like spinach leaves – but they’re thicker.

Chinese Broccoli should be cooked before being eaten. Thai Stir Fried Noodles).

What is in the Oyster Sauce

Here’s what you need for the Oyster Sauce.

The Chinese cuisine wine (aka Shaoxing wine) is the key ingredient that adds depth of flavour and complexity to the sauce. Substitute Dry Sherry or Mirin. If you can’t consume alcohol, substitute with chicken stock.

Restaurants typically use quite a bit of oil when serving this dish – you can usually see it pooled on the plate. I have significantly reduced the amount of oil used, and believe me, you won’t miss it at all. The sauce is what makes this dish special. You don’t need oil (well, not very much).

How to make Chinese Broccoli With Oyster Sauce

Here’s how to make it. For convenience, I prefer to microwave steam vegetables. But feel free to use any method that’s most convenient for you.

What to serve with Chinese Broccoli and Oyster Sauce?

I make this as a side dish to Asian meals quite regularly because it’s so fast to prepare and will pair with any Asian cuisine. I like the fact that you can make a smaller batch and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I then use the Sauce to smother any plain steamed vegetables.

These are some ideas for meals that incorporate these Chinese greens.

• Dumplings can be made into a delicious mealYou can also enjoy Gyoza, Shumai, Potstickers or Shumai with some Chinese Broccoli along with some Fried Rice.

• It can be added as an a vegetable sideStir fries low in vegetables like Honey Pepper Beef or Vietnamese Caramel Pork Bowls, or Asian Beef Bowls.

• Serve alongside Asian mains like Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork), Crispy Chinese Pork Belly, Vietnamese Caramel Chicken, Sticky Chinese Wings.

There’s certainly no shortage of possibilities! – Nagi x

How to make it

Are you hungry for more?For the most up-to-date information, subscribe to my newsletter. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli and Oyster Sauce

4.98Starting at 42 votes

Servings2 Side by side: 4

Tap or hover to scale

Video of the recipe is above. Real Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli With Oyster Sauce. A classic at Yum Cha (Dim Sum). This sauce is the best, and it takes more than oyster sauce to make it restaurant-style! This sauce pairs well with any Chinese greens such as bok choy, pak chop, and so on.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 Chinese broccoli in a bunch (“Gai Lan”) (Note 1)

Oyster Sauce

• ▢ 3/4 tsp Corn flour / Corn starch
• ▢ 3 tbsp water
• ▢ 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• ▢ 2 tsp soy sauce All purpose, light or all-purpose (not dark soy).
• ▢ 1 tbsp Chinese cuisine wine (sub Mirin, Dry Sheer, Note 1
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Sesame oil
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp Vegetable oil (or peanut, or canola)
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Sugar
• ▢ 1 clove Garlic Finely grated
• ▢ 1 tsp ginger Finely grated

Instructions

• Trim ends from Chinese Broccoli. Cut off any stems that are too thick. You want the stems to be approximately equal in width.
• You can steam Chinese broccoli in any way you like. I steam it in a microwave-safe container for 4 minutes. The stem should only be slightly browned, not mushy and stringy.
• The Chinese broccoli should be stacked together.

Oyster Sauce

• Mix corn flour and water in a small saucepan. Stir until combined.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the saucepan. Heat on medium heat. To thicken the sauce, boil it for 30 seconds. Then turn off the heat and remove from the stove.
• Sprinkle with Chinese broccoli. Warm is best

Recipe Notes

1. Mirin, cooking sake and dry sherry can be used in place of Chinese cooking wine. This is a non-alcoholic substitute. You can then replace the water with chicken stock/broth.

2. Serving size: 2

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 208gCalories: 91Cal (5%)Carbohydrates: 8.7g (3%)Protein: 4.5g (9%)Fat: 4.5g (7%)Saturated Fat 0.8g (5%)Sodium: 439mg (19%)Potassium: 22mg (1%)Sugar: 1.1g (1%)Vitamin A: 19000IU (380%)Vitamin C: 149.3mg (181%)Calcium: 50mg (5%)Iron: 0.9mg (5%)

Original publication 2014. Updated with new photos, video and information in February 2020.

Dozer life

It is fitting that this toy is one of our favourite toys!

SaveSave