5 Beloved Asian Veggies You Can Find at Aussie Markets

Veggies are a must in every Asian meal. Even barbecues and single-served dishes are often accompanied by greens to add texture, colour and flavour. Not to mention the many vegetables enjoyed as a full dish on their own, stir-fried and flavoured with simple yet tasty seasonings, as well as the great variety of appetizing pickles.

And you can actually grab some of these yummy Asian greens, right here in Australia! Fresh at your neighbourhood supermarket or Asian grocer.

Here are 6 beloved Asian veggies you should try:

Bok Choy

One of the most common Asian veggies and especially popular in Chinese cuisine, Bok Choy has tender crunchy stems with a subtle sweetness, and soft, deep-green leaves with a mild bitter touch. Nice to munch as a savoury stir-fried dish on its own, or paired with meats and bite-sized seafood. Also tasty in soups, fried noodles, and a yummy dumpling filler with minced meat. There’s also the Baby Bok Choy – smaller in size but pack a sweeter flavour. Try it in the sumptuous Hong Kong-style beef noodles, an easy savoury stir-fry with fish cakes, or this piquant and umami Japanese salmon special!

Kai Lan

Also known as Chinese broccoli, Kai Lan is as common as Boy Choy in Chinese cuisine, but sturdier and crunchier with a bittersweet taste. A refreshing side dish on its own with oyster sauce, and a scrumptious stir-fry with meats or seafood.  

Choy Sum

Choy Sum is like the in-between cousin of Bok Choy and Kailan, with a similar mild bittersweet taste and crisp texture. Among the three, Choy Sum has the slimmest, longest stem and larger vibrant green leaves. Most commonly paired with wontons in this classic comfort soup and its ‘dry’ savoury counterpart. Choy Sum serves as a flavour-tempering green in this magnificent Thai braised pork noodle soup. Also a must-have green in stir-fried noodles like this saucy, savoury Malaysian goodie.

Wombok

Known as ‘Da Bai Chai’ in Mandarin, ‘Wong Ah Bak’ in Cantonese, ‘Napa’ in Japanese, and ‘Baechu’ in Korean, Wombok is a cabbage like no other. Its white-yellow oblong stems have a soft supple crunch, and the lettuce-like leaves exude a comforting mild sweetness. Revered across various Asian cuisines with an amazing array of delicious delights. Check out our dive deep into the wonderful Wombok. Savour it in this hearty, savoury stir-fried glass noodles with pork and shiitake shrooms. Go sumptuous with a Japanese sumo hotpot. Or make your own authentic Korean Kimchi with Wombok!

Water Spinach

Named Kangkung in Malay, this leafy green has straw-like stems and long broad leaves. Easily softens when cooked, and versatile to take on any flavour. Water spinach is most often stir-fried on its own with a spicy oomph, and a must-have garnish for the delectable Malaysian Penang Prawn noodles.

More Asian Veggie Goodies

There are yet more delicious and wholesome Asian veggies to discover! Check out these 10 unique Asian greens, flex your green-thumb and grow some of them in your garden, and expand your knowledge of Asian fruits and vegetables here!