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Shanghai Bok choy is a small cabbage, averaging 10-12 centimeters in length, that has a bulb-like base consisting of clustered stems connected to loosely bunched, oval, flat leaves. The smooth stems, also known as petioles, are thick, firm, pale green, and slightly flattened. The delicate leaves are light to dark green, crisp, and broad with round, even edges, covered in prominent, light green veining. Shanghai Bok choy is tender, aqueous, and crunchy with a mild and slightly sweet, green taste reminiscent of celery and cabbage.
Seasons/Availability
Shanghai Bok choy is available year-round.
Current Facts
Shanghai Bok choy, botanically classified as Brassica rapa var. chinensis, is a small, non-heading cabbage belonging to the Brassicaceae family along with broccoli, kale, and mustard. Native to China and considered to be a baby variety, Shanghai Bok choy is the most common bok choy variety cultivated and sold in the United States and Europe. Shanghai Bok choy is also known as Green Stem Bok choy, Green Bok choy, and Spoon cabbage for its unique pale green, spoon-shaped stems and leaves. The compact plant is bred specifically for its small size, and the consistency of the leaves and stems are more tender and sweeter than their mature counterparts. Shanghai Bok choy has been used in Asian cuisine for many years, but the small cabbage has globally increased in popularity as consumers are learning about its nutritional properties and are incorporating it into both raw and cooked dishes.
Nutritional Value
Shanghai Bok choy is an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamins A, B, C, and K, which are antioxidants that help the body fight against environmental aggressors. The leaves and stems are also a good source of fiber to stimulate digestion and contain calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, and folate to help support bone strength and fight against inflammation.
Applications
Shanghai Bok choy is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as sautéing, boiling, stir-frying, braising, grilling, and steaming. The crisp nature of the stem and leaves are showcased when chopped and tossed into fresh green salads, or the raw leaves can be mixed into a slaw with carrots and garlic for a mild crunch. In cooked applications, Shanghai Bok choy can be chopped as a filling for potstickers or spring rolls, quickly cooked in stir-fries with other vegetables, mixed into cold noodle dishes, or tossed with cooked meats and rice. The small greens can also be sliced in half and lightly braised or mixed into soups and stews. Shanghai Bok choy pairs well with meats such as poultry, pork, and duck, seafood, tofu, mushrooms, snow peas, cucumbers, carrots, mint, sesame seeds, and sauces such as soy, hoisin, and oyster. The leaves and stems will keep 3-5 days when loosely stored in a plastic bag and kept in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Hong Kong, bok choy is a symbol of good luck and prosperity and is often incorporated into wedding banquets and holiday meals. At traditional wedding banquets, guests are served 9-12 lavish courses that are all symbolic of happiness, prosperity, good luck, and are also representative of a dragon or phoenix to celebrate the male and female joining together. In one of the courses served, it is common to pair braised bok choy with abalone in an oyster sauce. In traditional Chinese medicine, bok choy is also seen as a cooling vegetable that can help with calming fevers and coughs. It was traditionally crushed and applied topically to help with rashes and skin irritations.
Geography/History
Bok choy is native to China, originally from the Yangtze River Delta, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. The exact origins of Shanghai Bok choy are unknown, but since the beginning of cultivation in China, many new varieties have been bred to meet changing consumer demand, especially for baby bok choy varieties. Bok choy was later introduced to Southeast Asia in the 16th century and Europe and North America in the 19th century. Today Shanghai Bok choy is widely cultivated across Asia and Southeast Asia, especially in Japan, China, and Korea, and it is also grown and sold at farmers markets and through specialty grocers in Australia, South Africa, Europe, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States.
Sanxia Evening Market
No. 9-8號, Section 1, Jieshou Rd, Sanxia District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 237
In Hong Kong, this leafy vegetable symbolizes good luck and prosperity, playing a key role in wedding banquets and holiday feasts. It appears alongside other dishes tied to themes of happiness and union, such as dragons and phoenixes. In Chinese medicine, its cooling properties have been utilized for centuries to calm fevers, soothe coughs, and treat skin irritations through topical application.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Shanghai Bok Choy was introduced to Southeast Asia in the 16th century, while Europe and North America encountered it in the 19th century. Its pale green, spoon-shaped stems are tender and sweet, making it widely cultivated and sold globally. Popular regions include Japan, China, and Korea, with niche markets spanning Australia, South Africa, Canada, Central America, and beyond.
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Fresno,CA
+15593854959
Shanghai Bok choy, a baby cabbage from the Brassicaceae family, is known for its pale green, spoon-shaped stems and tender leaves. It's globally popular due to its nutritional benefits, rich in beta-carotene and vitamins A, B, C, and K, which act as antioxidants. This compact vegetable also provides calcium, fiber, and potassium, supporting digestion, bone health, and combating inflammation, making it a versatile addition to raw and cooked dishes alike.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Shanghai Bok choy complements a variety of dishes. It can be tossed into salads or mixed with carrots and garlic for a crunchy slaw, adding freshness to raw recipes. Cooked options include stir-fries, potstickers, noodle dishes, or soups. This vegetable pairs excellently with proteins like poultry, pork, or tofu, and works well with sauces like soy or hoisin. To maintain its crisp texture, store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in a plastic bag.
Weiser Family Farms
19247 Highline Rd , Tehachapi, CA 93562
View on Instagram
310-930-0903
Shanghai Bok choy typically measures 10-12 centimeters, featuring clustered, pale green stems that flatten slightly and oval-shaped, crisp leaves. The leaves range in color from light to dark green, showcasing prominent veining. This variety is tender and aqueous, with a flavor profile that blends mild sweetness with hints reminiscent of celery and cabbage, offering a crunchy texture that complements its delicate composition.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
At traditional Hong Kong wedding banquets, guests are typically served 9 to 12 elaborate courses, all symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. These courses also represent the dragon and phoenix, which celebrate the union of the male and female. Bok choy is often featured in one of these courses, paired with abalone in oyster sauce, and it plays a meaningful role in these cultural celebrations.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Shanghai Bok choy belongs to a broader category of vegetables native to China, specifically the Yangtze River Delta, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. While its exact origins remain unclear, Shanghai Bok choy represents a newer variety developed to accommodate evolving consumer preferences. Bok choy spread internationally over the centuries, with notable introductions to Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Specialty Produce
1929 hancock st sd ca 92110
6192953172 [email protected]
Shanghai Bok choy is a baby variety of cabbage with spoon-shaped pale green stems and leaves, renowned for its tender texture and mild sweetness. It is the most common bok choy variety cultivated in the US and Europe. Rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, C, and K, it also provides fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and folate, aiding digestion, bone health, and reducing inflammation.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Shanghai Bok choy adds versatility to meals and shines in dishes like stir-fries, salads, slaws, soups, and stews. Its crisp stems and mild leaves complement a variety of proteins like poultry, pork, and seafood, as well as vegetables including mushrooms, snow peas, and cucumbers. Stored in a plastic bag in a refrigerator crisper drawer, it stays fresh for up to 3-5 days.
Shanghai Bok choy is characterized by its bulb-like base formed by clustered stems and loosely bunched leaves. The smooth, thick petioles are pale green and slightly flattened, while the leaves are light to dark green with round, even edges marked by prominent veining. Both the stems and leaves contribute to its crunchy texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor, making it suitable for diverse dishes.
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