




Yu Choy
Inventory, 30 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 02/03/23
Description/Taste
Yu choy is a leafy vegetable that produces fleshy stalks 20-30 cm high with oval-shaped leaves. The branching stems are slender, crisp, smooth, and pale green, and attached to the stems are broad and flat, dark green leaves that have prominent veining spanning across the surface. There are also small, bright yellow flowers that first appear as green buds in loosely compacted clusters of 10-20 buds. The leaves, stems, and flowers of Yu choy are all edible and have a crunchy, tender consistency. Yu choy has a sweet, green taste similar to baby spinach, with subtle bitter and peppery notes.
Seasons/Availability
Yu choy is available year-round, with a peak season in the spring through fall.
Current Facts
Yu choy is botanically a member of the Brassicaceae family, also known as the cabbage or mustard family, and is a flowering vegetable favored for its sweet, green taste. Many different varieties are labeled generally under Yu choy, including Mongolian, Wa Wa choy, Humon, Red Stem, and Mui, and these varieties vary in size, color, and leaf shape. Yu choy is also harvested at many different stages, giving it a varying appearance when sold at fresh markets. Known by many different names including Yau choy, Yu chai, Green choy sum, and Choy sum, Yu choy is cultivated for its edible leaves, stalks, and flowers and is predominately utilized in Asian cuisine as a lightly cooked side dish.
Nutritional Value
Yu choy is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that help repair damage within the skin and fight against free radicals. The greens are also a good source of calcium and contain some potassium and iron.
Applications
Yu choy is best suited for raw or lightly cooked applications such as sautéing, blanching, steaming, or stir-frying. When fresh, the greens can be added raw into salads, and the young leaves and sprouts are mainly used. Though the greens can be used fresh, Yu choy is predominately utilized in cooked dishes, especially in Asian cuisine, and can be mixed into soups, steamed or sautéed and added into noodle dishes, or stir-fried with light sauces or chicken broth for a crisp and tender side dish. Yu choy is also increasing in popularity in Asian fusion dishes and is roasted and blended into pesto, served with potatoes and American wagyu, or mixed into flavored rice dishes with gremolata, pickled onions, and other unique ingredients. Yu choy pairs well with garlic, sesame, lemon, chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, mushrooms, onions, squash, and meats such as poultry and pork. The stalks and leaves will keep 3-5 days when stored unwashed in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Yu choy translates from Chinese to mean “oil vegetable” in English and earns this name from its close relation to rapeseed, which is cultivated to make canola oil. In China, Yu choy is a common, everyday vegetable used as a fresh, nutritious side dish and is also served as a part of dim sum, which is a Cantonese style meal consisting of many small shared plates. The leafy green has also increased in popularity in the United States as chefs are modernizing menus to include Asian fusion dishes, utilizing traditional Chinese greens with unconventional flavors and ingredients.
Geography/History
Yu choy is believed to be native to China and has been cultivated since ancient times. As cultivation increased, non-heading cabbages were heavily grown in China, and many new varieties were created and introduced into neighboring countries in Asia. Today Yu choy is one of the most popular vegetables found at local markets across Asia and Southeast Asia, and it can also be found at specialty grocers and Asian markets in Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Starlite Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
Hoxton Manor LLC | San Diego CA | 760-586-9533 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Serbesa-Filipino Kitchen | National City CA | 619-733-2382 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Alila Marea (VAGA Restaurant) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Starlite Bar | San Diego CA | 619-358-9766 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Yu Choy. One

Recently Shared
People have shared Yu Choy using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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南北鮮果專賣廣場
Near Shulin District, TaiwanNo. 214號, Sanshu Rd, Sanxia District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 237 About 72 days ago, 11/25/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 127 days ago, 10/02/22 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
SS2 Morning Market
Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MalaysiaJalan SS 2/62 About 130 days ago, 9/28/22 ![]() ![]() About 146 days ago, 9/12/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 170 days ago, 8/20/22 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 219 days ago, 7/02/22 ![]() ![]() About 448 days ago, 11/14/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreen Farms ![]() ![]() About 459 days ago, 11/04/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]() About 477 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreen Farms ![]() ![]() About 504 days ago, 9/20/21 Sharer's comments : Yu choy from Fresno Evergreen ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Venice, California, United StatesAbout 512 days ago, 9/12/21 ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 542 days ago, 8/13/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy ![]() ![]()
SpecialtyProduce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 589 days ago, 6/27/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choi from Fresno evergreen farms ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 660 days ago, 4/17/21 ![]() ![]()
Fresno Evergreen Farm
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 663 days ago, 4/14/21 ![]() ![]() About 672 days ago, 4/05/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreens ![]() ![]() About 679 days ago, 3/29/21 Sharer's comments : Yu choy from Fresno Evergreens ![]() ![]() About 694 days ago, 3/14/21 Sharer's comments : Yu choy from Fresno Evergreens ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 714 days ago, 2/22/21 ![]() ![]() About 722 days ago, 2/14/21 Sharer's comments : Yu Choy from Fresno Evergreen! |