Ingredient Guide
What Is Chinese Broccoli?
Chinese broccoli is one of the most common Cantonese restaurant greens.
Quick answer
Chinese broccoli is a leafy green vegetable with thick stems, broad leaves, and a mild bitter edge, often served with oyster sauce or garlic.
| Chinese name | Pinyin | Ingredient type | Core role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 芥兰 | jiè lán | Vegetable | Bitter green vegetable for stir-fries and oyster sauce dishes |
What it tastes like
It is green, mildly bitter, clean, and slightly sweet when fresh, with a firm stem and tender leaves.
Where it appears on menus
It appears as Chinese broccoli, gai lan, kai lan, Chinese kale, garlic greens, or Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.
How to use it
- Blanch and serve with oyster sauce.
- Stir-fry with garlic.
- Pair with rice plates and roast meats.
- Use as a green counterweight to rich dishes.
Substitutions
| Situation | Best practical substitute | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Closest | Gai lan / Chinese broccoli | Same ingredient under another name. |
| Common substitute | Broccolini | Sweeter and less bitter. |
| Emergency | Broccoli rabe or broccoli | Texture and bitterness differ. |
What not to substitute
- Lettuce.
- Raw spinach.
- Cabbage in oyster sauce dishes.
Dietary issues
The vegetable itself is straightforward, but restaurant versions often use oyster sauce, soy sauce, or shared woks.