Updated 14th January 2026
A quick bok choy side dish with garlic, oyster sauce and extra virgin olive oil
If you’re looking for a quick an easy side dish or light main that screams healthy green side dish, this recipe for Bok Choy, Garlic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the one for you.
Why this bok choy recipe works
- Quick and easy side dish or light main
- Naturally fits a balanced, whole-food approach to cooking
- Uses extra virgin olive oil as the primary cooking fat
- Ideal for pairing with rice, noodles, fish or tofu
A staple in many Asian kitchens, freshly prepared whole foods are replacing heavily processed foods. This is a great way to reduce processed fats and sugars – a key contributor to rising obesity levels and the prevalence of chronic disease on the rise around the world.
So why not fill your plate with healthy greens and superfoods like Bok Choi Chinese white cabbage – paired with Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil today. If you’re exploring everyday ways to cook with olive oil, this dish fits naturally into a balanced approach to Cooking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Bok choy or Chinese white cabbage is a staple ingredient in Asian dishes. The tender dark green leaves and crisp off-white-coloured stalks provide a nice fresh crunch. Similarly, the greens have a spinach-like taste with a very mild bitterness.
As part of a varied diet, recipes like this are often included in broader approaches to digestion and gut health and everyday wellbeing.
Here is a simple recipe to combine these health boosting flavours:
Bok Choy Garlic And Oyster Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 bunches of baby bok choy bottom end removed
- Salt to taste optional
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- A sprinkle of ground black pepper
- 10 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 3 bunches of baby bok choy bottom end removed
- Salt to taste optional
Instructions
- Combine the oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and water in a bowl. Stir. Set aside.
- Combine extra virgin olive oil and garlic at the same time in a pan. Turn the heat to on. Cook the garlic in medium heat until it starts to turn light brown.
- Pour the oyster sauce mixture in the pan and sprinkle some ground black pepper. Stir. Let boil.
- Add the bok choy. Stir and cover. Cook until the sauce reduces to half. You may add some salt if needed.
- Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with rice.
- Serve immediately with rice or as a light side dish.
Why Cook Bok Choy With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Why extra virgin olive oil suits quick vegetable dishes
Extra virgin olive oil works particularly well for fast-cooked vegetable dishes because it adds flavour without overpowering delicate ingredients like bok choy. Used over moderate heat, it helps gently cook garlic while allowing sauces to coat vegetables evenly.
Extra virgin olive oil is the best olive oil to use when cooking bok choy. This is because it has the most benefits and provides the best flavour. Extra virgin olive oil is made from pure, cold-pressed olives. It is the highest quality olive oil available and has a host of health benefits. Some of these benefits include reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting against heart disease. In addition to being healthy, extra virgin olive oil also tastes great. It has a fruity, intense flavour that pairs well with the delicate taste of bok choy.
In conclusion Bok choy is an excellent source of vitamin A. One cup gives you 60 percent of your daily requirement. In addition it is also a good source of vitamin C and is rich in vitamin K. Bok choy is also a good source of dietary fibre.
Simple cooking tips for best results
- Use medium heat to prevent garlic from burning
- Add bok choy near the end to keep the stalks crisp
- Taste the sauce before adding salt, as oyster sauce varies
- Finish with sesame oil for aroma, not frying
FAQs
Can I cook bok choy with extra virgin olive oil?
Yes. Extra virgin olive oil is well suited to everyday cooking and works particularly well in quick vegetable dishes, adding flavour without overpowering delicate ingredients like bok choy.
Is bok choy the same as Chinese white cabbage?
They are closely related. Bok choy has tender green leaves and crisp, pale stalks and is commonly used in Asian cooking for its mild flavour and quick cooking time.
How do I stop the garlic from burning?
Cook the garlic over medium heat and add it to the pan at the same time as the olive oil. This helps the garlic heat gradually and release flavour without turning bitter.
Can I make this recipe without oyster sauce?
Yes. You can substitute oyster sauce with soy sauce and a small amount of sugar or honey to balance the flavour.
What can I serve bok choy with?
This dish pairs well with rice, noodles, tofu, fish, or grilled chicken, making it a versatile side or light main.
Use a premium extra virgin olive oil in your cooking
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