Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce
Blanched Chinese broccoli under garlicky oyster sauce.
Ingredients
- 400 g Chinese broccoli
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Oyster sauce
- 1 tsp Light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Neutral oil
- ½ tsp Sugar
Method
- Trim the tough ends from the Chinese broccoli and mince the garlic.
- Boil the Chinese broccoli briefly until just tender, then drain and arrange on a plate.
- While the greens cook, sizzle the garlic in oil, then add the oyster sauce, soy, sugar, and a splash of water and simmer to a glossy sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the greens and serve.
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About Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce
Gai lan in oyster sauce is a Cantonese restaurant standard, the plate of blanched Chinese broccoli glossed with a savory garlic-oyster sauce that shows up on nearly every dim sum and rice-plate menu. Gai lan has thick, crunchy stems and slightly bitter leaves, a heartier green than most, and briefly boiling it keeps that pleasant firmness while softening the stalks. Draining it and laying it neatly on the plate before saucing is the classic presentation. It is quick, light, and takes only a handful of pantry ingredients.
The oyster sauce is what defines the dish: deep, umami-rich, and faintly sweet, here loosened with soy, a pinch of sugar, and a splash of water and lifted by garlic fried in oil until fragrant. Poured hot over the greens, it turns glossy and clings to every stem, balancing gai lan's gentle bitterness with savory sweetness. It pairs naturally with steamed rice and roasted meats, or stands as a simple vegetable course on its own. The contrast of the crunchy, verdant stalks against the dark, silky sauce is the whole reason to make it.
Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce?
A serving has about 97 calories — 1.6g protein, 6.7g carbs, 7.7g fat, 2.7g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Oyster sauce, Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for those ingredients to make it gluten-free.
How many servings does Gai Lan in Oyster Sauce make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.