Learn the technique to cook tender crisp Stir Fry Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) with mushrooms at home. Takes only a few minutes to prepare.
Gai Lan or Chinese broccoli is my all time favorite Chinese vegetable. Mom cooked it often back when I was growing up in Malaysia as it was and continues to be very easily available there. Most of the time, she would stir fry the Gai Lan with mushrooms and oyster sauce. Sometimes, she would lightly scald the entire stalks in boiling water and tossed them with a garlic soy sauce and oyster sauce dressing like this Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce recipe. Both ways are equally delicious but today, I am going to show you how easily you can prepare this Stir Fry Gai Lan in your own kitchen.
Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
Gai Lan is the Cantonese name for this blue-green leafy vegetable prized for its thick tender stems and flower buds. It belongs to the same species as broccoli, hence its name. Interestingly, according to this source, broccolini is a hybrid between broccoli and Gai Lan. It is no wonder they look similar. Gai Lan may be steamed, lightly boiled, or stir fried. Once cooked and toss with a little oil, it has a nice smooth glossy sheen. The taste is only very slightly bitter yet sweet.
Buying and Preparing Gai Lan for Stir Fry
I can never get enough of this vegetable. I buy them whenever I see them. The good thing is that they are pretty easily available and is a mainstay at the Asian markets. Choose a bunch with smaller stalks and brightly colored leaves. The flower buds should be tight and compact. Open flowers mean that they are past due. The stems on these are fibrous and more bitter.
Always wash and drain all leafy vegetables thoroughly before doing a stir fry. Vegetables that are not properly drained will produce a soggy stir fry. Use a salad spinner if necessary. Stems and leafy parts should preferably be separated as stems do take a slightly longer time to cook. Adding the stems to the pan first and frying them for an additional minute or two prevents the leaves (which are added just a little later) from becoming over cooked.
In the recipe below, I used regular fresh mushrooms for convenience. Please use Chinese mushrooms if you prefer. I have also omitted the oyster sauce as I no longer use it in my cooking. The taste of this Stir Fry Gai Lan is much fresher and lighter, yet equally if not more delicious. I hope you will give it a try.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Stir Fry Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
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Stainless 14-Inch Stir-Fry Pan with Helper Handle and Glass Cover
Asian Kitchen Carbon Steel Wok Stir Fry Pan, 12-inch
Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok, 14-inch
Stainless Steel Professional Wok Turner Spatula
Stir Fry Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
Ingredients
- 1 lb gai lan / Chinese broccoli (450g)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1½ inch ginger (peeled and cut into thin slices) (45g)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 oz mushrooms (optional)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shao Hsing cooking wine
- 1 tsp corn starch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Wash and drain gailan thoroughly. Trim 1 inch off the end of the stalks. Cut off each leave from the stalk and then cut the leave into 2 or 3 bite size pieces at a diagonal, about 2 to 3 inches in length. Cut the top part of the remaining stalk into bite size pieces as well, leaving the remaining end of 3 to 5 inches. This woody section should be peeled with a paring knife before cutting diagonally into bite size pieces. Stems and leaves should preferably be separated.
- Heat a wok or large pan. When it is hot, add vegetable oil. Sauté ginger for about 1 minute. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add the gai lan stems and mushrooms (if using). Fry for about 2 minutes.
- Now, add the gai lan leaves, soy sauce, and Shao Hsing cooking wine. Stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes. gai lan leaves should be wilted but still crunchy.
- Pour in cornstarch mixture. Stir to combine for another 1 to 2 minutes. Corn starch mixture will thicken.
- Turn off heat. Drizzle sesame oil over vegetables. Remove and serve immediately.
Nutrition
NOTE: Video was added to this post on May 7th, 2014.
Mina Joshi says
This stir fry looks really delicious.
Biren says
Thanks Mina!
Ramona says
Fantastic looking veggie stir fry. 🙂
Jeannie says
Looks delicious, my mom love to put soya sauce into her dishes too, she claimed it gives the dishes more flavor, but I love to add a dash of oyster sauce for even more flavor lol!
Biren says
I put soy sauce in almost all my stir fries. I do like its flavor. 🙂
parmjit says
hi Brian i Will try this
Elena says
Very good! I tested your idea here – http://bucatariaelenei.blogspot.ro/2013/10/gai-lan-broccoli-chinezesc-cu-ciuperci.html
Maggie says
This is my favorite dish Linda! So simple and delicious 🙂
Mangai says
Its so simple n looks yummy.I do it minus soy sauce,mushrooms n cornstarch. I use salt. I have looking for the right chinese way to cook n here it is. Thank you very much.
Linda says
You are welcome! 🙂
Anne-Marie says
This was perfect ! Thank you, will be adding it to my favourites.
Linda says
Very glad to hear that! Thank you!
Cindy Christie says
I have never heard of Gai Lin here and i did wonder from your pics if it was Broccolini, cos it looks so similar..That was what i bought. Making this dish tonight so will see how it goes 🙂
Linda says
Gai Lan is not broccolini but the latter is a great substitute. The taste is similar. You have to go to the Asian markets to buy gai lan. Can’t miss it because it is very popular. I am sure your broccolini will turn out wonderful. 🙂
kaikai says
I’m an Alaska transplant from Hawaii. Saw and bought some gai lan from a new Asian store and crabbed it. Cooking it with tofu. Question. Is there a substitute for the Shao Hsing cooking wine?
Linda says
You can use a dry white wine or omit it altogether.
Nanette says
Hello, may I ask the reason why you no longer use oyster sauce in cooking? Thanks!
Linda says
It is a matter of personal preference. Also I prefer the taste of soy sauce.
me says
My first successful stir fry that didn’t go soggy, you were so helpfully specific about what to add when. Cheering me up during Shelter In Place. I added fried tofu and scrambled egg to mine.
Linda says
I am glad my techniques helped and you are being cheered up during this difficult time. Please sty safe and healthy!
Donna says
Never had gai lan before. It’s good and the recipe was good as well.
Linda says
I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. Gai lan is one of my favorite green veggies. 🙂
summer says
love this recipe, was my first time preparing Gai Lin and you made the process so simple and it turned out delicious! THANK YOU, i will be sharing your website/ recipe on my food blog
Denise says
I bought a big bunch of gai lan today and was determined to make something with it. Found your recipe, which I made it but it took hours. Never worked with gai lan and wood ears (part of my mushroom choice) before.
Since I try to cook oil-free, I sauteed in water but did drizzle the sesame oil on afterward. Also used lower-sodium tahini in place of soy. Substituted Japanese sake for the rice cooking wine, since I didn’t have any on hand. Garnished with sesame seeds. I think it came out great! Thank you for putting this recipe out there. 🙂
Linda says
You are welcome and I am glad it gave you an idea on how to cook the gai lan the way you like it.