Name: Bok Choy Soup
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 200 g Bok Choy (- Halved); 250 g White Mushrooms (- Sliced); 10 g Ginger (- Slice into Matchsticks); 5 Garlic cloves (- Sliced); 1 Onion (- Sliced); 1 Tbsp Soy sauce; 1 tsp Oyster sauce; ½ tsp Rice vinegar; ½ Chicken stock cube; ½ tsp White pepper; 1 liter Water; 3 Tbsp Cooking oil

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Bok choy soup is an Asian soup that brings together the vibrant, crisp flavours of Chinese Cabbage. In some supermarkets, “bok choy” is written as “Pok choi“.

The word itself translates to “white vegetable.” With a white stem and light green leaves that turn a darker shade of green, this vegetable offers refreshing flavours that pair well with soy sauce and other condiments.

Historically, the People of China incorporated this vegetable into their diet for its nutritional benefits. Bok choy has many vitamins and minerals. It is also versatile, pairing well with stir-fries, salads, and many types of Asian soups. This vegetable has a mild, not an overpowering flavour; if you want to add more greens to your diet, consider bok choy.

This Bok choy soup is simple, with a rich, savoury broth enhanced by ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. The combination of these flavours complements mushrooms, tofu, and red meat such as beef. If you are looking for a more seafood experience, consider adding a touch of fish sauce and shrimp for extra flavour.

Ingredients

Bok Choy, Onion, Garlic cloves, Ginger, Mushroom, Chicken Stock, Spring Onion, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Rice Vinegar.

Choose bok choy that is deep green and vibrant. Avoid yellow-looking bok choy with wilted leaves. Bok choy with bright white stems is best. The leaves should feel firm and smooth. Baby Bok choy is generally sweeter and more tender, making it ideal for light soups.

Shiitake mushrooms are great, whether fresh or dried, and have a deep and smoky flavour. However, if it is unavailable, choose oyster or white button mushrooms. Ginger and garlic add a savoury flavour. Spring onions add a subtle taste. The condiments used in this dish create a neutral-flavoured soup.

Dark soy sauce, along with oyster sauce, complements the mushrooms and Bok choy, whilst rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity. Chicken stock creates a more flavourful broth. You can use vegetable stock if you are going for a completely vegetarian meal. It is also worth noting that if you want more protein, you can add a variety of meats to this dish, including red meat, chicken, turkey, and veal.

Instructions

Begin by preparing the ingredients: Cut the boy choy’s in half and rinse them in running water. Slice the onion and garlic cloves, and slice the ginger into matchsticks. It is optional to peel the white mushrooms’ skins; otherwise, thoroughly rinse and remove impurities, then cut vertically.

Sauté the aromatics: Preheat a pot over medium-low heat, then add the oil. Add the prepared onion, ginger, and garlic to the pot, and stir to mix. Sauté the aromatics for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sauté the mushrooms: Add them to the pot and stir to combine. Add more cooking time if the mushrooms look dry. Sauté the mushrooms for three minutes, or until they begin to release water. When the mushrooms release water, add the ground white pepper.

Make sure to stir the mushrooms after they release water continuously. Keep in mind not to overcook the mushrooms to preserve both their flavour and texture.

Add the seasonings: When the mushrooms are done cooking, add oyster sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to the pot, stirring to combine. Then add the water and chicken stock cube to the pot, and boil the soup for 10 minutes with the lid closed on medium-high heat.

Add Bok choy: Add the Bok choy to the pot, close the lid, and boil the soup for an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped spring onions.

What to Serve Bok Choy Soup with?

The best pairing for the tangy, hearty Bok choy soup is freshly steamed rice. Rice adds volume and enhances the overall comfort of the meal, and it is a must-have with the Bok choy soup. There are other sides to enjoy with the Bok choy soup, such as dumplings, fried rice, garlic stir-fried noodles, soy-glazed shrimp, grilled tofu, spring rolls, bao buns, or stir-fried vegetables.

How to Store and Reheat Bok Choy Soup?

Allow the soup to cool down to room temperature before storing it in the fridge. Either transfer the soup into an airtight container or keep the whole pot in the refrigerator if there is enough space. The soup lasts up to 4 days in the fridge; however, freezing it is not recommended, as the texture of the vegetables and the soup’s flavour will change. To reheat the soup, either reheat the whole pot on the stove for 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or microwave one portion.