Cooking at home can feel like a small victory, especially when it’s something as fresh and delicious as Gai Lan, also known as Chinese broccoli. If you’ve ever had it at a restaurant and wondered how to get that perfect crunch, deep green color, and lightly garlicky sauce at home—good news. It’s ridiculously easy, and you don’t need fancy skills or ingredients to make it happen.
I’ll walk you through a foolproof way to cook Gai Lan, making it just as good (or better) as your favorite takeout spot.
Gai Lan is a leafy green vegetable with thick stalks, slightly bitter leaves, and a natural sweetness when cooked right. It’s a staple in Cantonese cuisine, often served with oyster sauce or stir-fried with garlic. If you’ve never cooked it before, think of it as a sturdier cousin of regular broccoli, but with a deeper, more pronounced flavor.
Where to Buy Gai Lan
@myhealthydish How to make Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli! It’s the perfect side dish to add to your Lunar New Year Feast. Start with about 2 pounds of Chinese Broccoli, trim the ends of the leaves off and slice the ends of the large parts of the stems in half. Simmer some hot water, add 2 tbsps of vegetable oil and broccoli. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes and drain. For the oyster sauce you need 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 tbsp of cornstarch, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sugar, 3 tbsps of oyster sauce. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and cook for 5 minutes. When ready to serve pour over Chinese Broccoli. #chinesebroccoli #lunarnewyear #chinesefood ♬ original sound – My Nguyen
You can usually find it in Asian grocery stores, especially in the produce section. Some well-stocked supermarkets also carry it, sometimes labeled as “Chinese broccoli.” Look for stalks that are firm and leaves that are dark green and crisp. Avoid anything yellowing or wilted—freshness is key.
If you can’t find it, broccolini makes a decent substitute. It’s not quite the same, but it’ll work in a pinch.
Perfectly Cooked Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
Equipment
- Large pot (for blanching)
- Strainer or colander
- Wok or large skillet (for stir-frying)
- Tongs or cooking chopsticks
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 bunch of Gai Lan (about 10–12 stalks)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- A pinch of salt
Optional for Extra Flavor
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Red pepper flakes (for heat)
Instructions
- Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt.
- Blanch the Gai Lan: Add the Gai Lan and cook for about 2 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Cool Quickly: Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
- Season the Gai Lan and Serve Immediately: Add the Gai Lan, drizzle with oyster sauce, sugar, and water, then stir to coat evenly. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
- Avoid Overcooking: Keep the Gai Lan crisp by cooking just until tender.
- Trim the Stalks: Remove about an inch from the bottom if they’re too tough.
- Use High Heat: Stir-frying over high heat enhances flavor with a slight char.
- Pairing Ideas: Serve with rice, noodles, or alongside roasted duck, tofu, or shrimp.
What to Serve with
It’s versatile, so you can enjoy it in many ways:
- With Steamed Rice: The sauce and garlic bits mix beautifully with fluffy white rice.
- Next to a Main Dish: Try it with roasted duck, stir-fried tofu, or garlic shrimp.
- Tossed into Noodles: Slice it up and mix it into lo mein, chow mein, or even ramen.
- On Its Own: Sometimes, simple is best—just a side of Gai Lan and a bowl of soy sauce chicken soup makes for a light, comforting meal.
A Quick Homemade Sauce (If You Like Extra Flavor!)
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If oyster sauce alone isn’t enough for you, mix up a quick sauce that takes things up a notch.
Ingredients
How to Use It
Drizzle it over your cooked Gai Lan, toss lightly, and enjoy!
Why You’ll Want to Make Gai Lan All the Time
Cooking Gai Lan is one of those things that’s simple but satisfying. It’s fast, packed with nutrients, and pairs with just about anything. Plus, once you get the hang of it, you can tweak the flavors to make it exactly how you like it.
If you’re into experimenting with ingredients, basil seeds can be a great alternative to chia seeds in refreshing drinks or salads.
Give it a try, and soon, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered it from a restaurant when making it at home is this easy.