Chinese kailan in oyster sauce is a simple and popular Chinese vegetable dish made with kailan (also called Chinese broccoli) stir-fried or blanched and then coated in a savoury oyster sauce mixture. This restaurant favorite dish is deceptively easy to make at home. Even beginners can whip it up in 10 minutes with just 6 ingredients.

Chinese kailan in oyster sauce is one of those must-order dishes at any Cantonese restaurant or yum cha spot. Made with tender-crisp Chinese broccoli and coated in a rich, savoury oyster sauce, it’s simple but so satisfying. The slight natural bitterness of the kailan pairs perfectly with the sweet and salty umami sauce, making it the perfect balance to all the roast meats and dim sum on the table. It’s vibrant, fresh, and comforting at the same time — a classic green veggie dish that never goes out of style and always completes a Chinese family-style meal.

INGREDIENTS

Kai lan / Gai Lan / Chinese Broccoli - 250g

Garlic - 7 cloves

Oyster or Vegetarian Oyster sauce - 3 tbsp

Cornstarch - 1 tbsp

Sesame Oil - 1 tbsp

Birdseye Chillis -4 (optional)

Cooking oil - 2 tbsp

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

Preparing the ingredients

Mince 7 cloves of garlic
Optional step - cut fresh chillis in half

Preparing the Gai Lan / Kailan

Start by washing the kailan thoroughly under running water, trimming off the tough ends, and splitting any thick stems in half.
Separate the stems from the leafy parts so they cook evenly.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a tablespoon of sesame oil (or regular cooking oil)
Cook the stems for 1–2 minutes before adding the leaves for another minute until just tender and vibrant green.
Remove and set aside.

Preparing the Sauce

For the sauce, mix half a cup of water with three tablespoons of oyster sauce and one tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth.
In a pan, heat two tablespoons of oil, gently sauté the minced garlic and chillies over low heat until fragrant
Then pour in the sauce mixture.
Stir continuously on low heat until it thickens into a glossy sauce.

How to serve

Pour it over the blanched kailan and serve immediately — a delicious, restaurant-style vegetable dish made effortlessly at home.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Be sure to watch the YouTube video for step-by-step instructions. Link here - Chinese Broccoli (Kailan) in Oyster Sauce Recipe - 10 minute Chinese Restaurant favorite dish! - YouTube

Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan/ Kailan) in Oyster Sauce

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