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Choy Sum Substitutes for Stir-Fries & Soups

5 Best Substitutes for Choy Sum

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If you don’t have choy sum, these five substitutes offer great alternatives for different uses. Baby bok choy and tat soi are best for stir-fries and steaming, providing similar texture and mild bitterness. Spinach works well raw or lightly cooked when crunch is less important.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Kitchen Tips, Substitutes
Cuisine: Various
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Baby Bok Choy Use 1:1 by volume; split stems if over 1 inch wide for even cooking
  • 1 cup Gai Lan Use 1:1 by volume; peel stems thicker than ½ inch;
  • 1 cup Tat Soi Use 1:1 by volume; add last 30-60 seconds of cooking to avoid wilting
  • 1 cup Spinach Use 1:1 by volume; best raw or in gentle sautés;
  • DIY Greens Mix (baby spinach, watercress leaves, chopped kale stems) Mix equal parts baby spinach and watercress leaves plus ¼ cup chopped kale stems per

Method
 

  1. Choose the substitute based on your cooking method and desired texture.
  2. Prep the greens by washing and trimming; split or peel stems as recommended.
  3. Use the substitute at a 1:1 volume ratio, adjusting cooking times as needed.
  4. Add sturdier stems earlier in cooking and delicate leaves towards the end to preserve texture.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning, especially when using sweeter substitutes like baby bok choy.

Notes

  • Baby bok choy is closest in texture but slightly sweeter; balance with a pinch of salt.
  • Gai lan is more bitter and requires longer stem cooking—blanch to mellow bitterness if desired.
  • Spinach wilts quickly; best used raw or in short-cooked dishes.

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