Crisp and Delicious Bok Choy Namul (Seasoned Bok Choy)
From Blanching Bok Choy to a Delicious Seasoned Vegetable Side Dish Recipe
While bok choy can be enjoyed as a crunchy kimchi-style salad, lightly blanched and seasoned with soy sauce or fish sauce, it becomes an incredibly satisfying side dish! Today, we’re sharing a super simple recipe for lightly blanched bok choy seasoned with fish sauce. Enjoy this crisp and fresh bok choy namul to create a healthier meal.
Main Ingredients
- 250g Bok Choy (cleaned and trimmed)
- 2 Tbsp Scallions (finely chopped)
Seasoning
- 0.7 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Fish Sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.7 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
For Blanching Bok Choy
- 0.5 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
- 0.7 Tbsp Tuna Extract (or Fish Sauce)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.7 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
For Blanching Bok Choy
- 0.5 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage, believed to have originated in China. It has a mild flavor and tender texture without a strong taste or aroma. It’s rich in nutrients like potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Bok choy is about 95% water, with less than 2% carbohydrates and less than 1% fat, making it a very low-calorie food at only 13 kcal per 100g. It’s a nutrient-dense plant-based food, packed with 41 nutrients including folate and vitamin B6, making it exceptionally good for your health.
Step 2
Trim the very end of the bok choy stalks and gently separate the leaves. While you can cut the whole head into 2-4 pieces, today we’ll be separating the leaves individually and washing them thoroughly under running water.
Step 3
After washing, drain the bok choy well in a colander. Finely chop the scallions.
Step 4
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 0.5 Tbsp of coarse sea salt and then add the prepared bok choy.
Step 5
Blanch the bok choy for about 30 seconds, flipping it occasionally. The blanching time can be adjusted based on your desired tenderness; you can test by taking out a piece to taste or feel its texture. Be careful not to over-blanch, as it can become too soft.
Step 6
Immediately rinse the blanched bok choy under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain it well in a colander. Gently press with your hands to squeeze out excess water. Squeezing too hard can crush the bok choy and make it mushy when seasoned, while not squeezing enough will prevent the dressing from adhering properly. Aim for a gentle squeeze.
Step 7
Place the squeezed bok choy in a bowl and add 0.5 Tbsp of minced garlic.
Step 8
Next, add 0.7 Tbsp of tuna extract (or fish sauce), 0.7 Tbsp of toasted or crushed sesame seeds, and 0.5 Tbsp of sesame oil to season.
Step 9
Gently toss and mix the bok choy with the seasonings using your fingertips, being careful not to break the leaves. Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 10
Transfer the finished bok choy namul to a serving dish. Sprinkle with a few more toasted sesame seeds for garnish, and your delicious seasoned bok choy dish is ready!
Step 11
Even though it’s made with simple seasonings and quickly, this bok choy side dish is wonderfully crisp, fresh, and flavorful. It’s perfect as a side for rice or even enjoyed like a light salad.
Step 12
This is a cost-effective and delicious bok choy namul recipe – so easy, right? Why not add this versatile and refreshing bok choy side dish to your dinner table tonight? Enjoy your meal!
