If you’ve ever enjoyed the fresh flavors and crisp textures of Asian cuisine, you’ll absolutely love this Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe. This dish combines tender, vibrant Chinese broccoli with a luscious oyster sauce glaze that’s perfectly balanced with fragrant garlic and ginger. It’s quick to prepare, making it a fantastic way to add a touch of authentic Chinese restaurant magic to your dinner table anytime you please. Once you master this recipe, it’ll become a go-to side that elevates everything from fried rice to steamed fish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe lies in its simplicity—just a handful of fresh, straightforward ingredients come together for maximum flavor and gorgeous presentation. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from the bright green crispness of the broccoli to the rich, savory oyster sauce.
- Chinese broccoli (“Gai Lan”): This leafy green vegetable provides a hearty texture and mild, slightly bitter flavor that balances perfectly with the sauce.
- Corn flour / corn starch (1 tsp): Used to gently thicken the oyster sauce glaze for a glossy finish.
- Water (6 tbsp): Helps create the perfect sauce consistency that coats the broccoli without overwhelming it.
- Oyster sauce (1 tbsp): The star of the dish, this sauce delivers deep umami and a touch of sweetness.
- Dark soy sauce (1/2 tsp): Adds a subtle depth of color and flavor to make the dish visually stunning.
- Chinese cooking wine (1 tbsp): Also known as Shaoxing wine, it brightens flavors with a mild acidity; Mirin or Dry Sherry work as great substitutes.
- Sesame oil (1/2 tsp): Just a hint for a warm, nutty aroma that makes the dish irresistibly fragrant.
- Vegetable oil (1/2 tbsp): This keeps the sauce smooth and helps to briefly sauté the aromatics.
- Sugar (1/2 tsp): Balances the savory and salty components with a touch of sweetness.
- Garlic (1 clove, finely grated): Provides punchy, delicious flavor that infuses the sauce with warmth.
- Ginger (1 tsp, finely grated): Adds a fresh, slightly spicy background note essential to traditional Chinese dishes.
How to Make Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chinese Broccoli
Start by trimming the woody ends off your Chinese broccoli, also known as Gai Lan. If any stems are particularly thick, slice them in half lengthwise so that every stalk has a similar thickness—this ensures even cooking. Getting this prep right is key for that perfect texture balance between tender stalk and leafy greens.
Step 2: Steam the Chinese Broccoli
Next comes the steaming, which is the gentlest cooking method to preserve the vibrant green color and crispness. Whether you prefer a bamboo steamer or a microwave steamer, aim to cook the broccoli until the stems are tender but still have a slight bite—about 4 minutes should do the trick. Overcooking will lead to limp, less appealing greens.
Step 3: Slice into Manageable Lengths
Once steamed, stack the stalks and leaves together neatly and cut them into roughly 4-inch (10 cm) pieces. This not only makes the dish more pleasing to eat but also easier to arrange on a serving plate, just like in your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Step 4: Prepare the Oyster Sauce Glaze
In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, Chinese cooking wine, and water. Mix well to dissolve the sugar. In a separate small pan, heat the vegetable oil on medium, then add the finely grated garlic and ginger—stir-fry gently for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the sauce mixture, then stir in the corn flour dissolved in a little water to thicken the glaze. Cook for another minute until glossy and slightly thickened, then remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil for that toasty finish.
Step 5: Plate and Drizzle
Arrange the cut Chinese broccoli neatly on a serving plate. Slowly pour the warm oyster sauce glaze over the top, letting that velvety, shiny sauce coat the greens in delicious goodness. It’s all about that presentation—it should look as inviting as it tastes!
How to Serve Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra pop of texture and visual appeal, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or chopped roasted peanuts over the dish. A few thinly sliced red chili rings also offer a mild heat and vibrant color contrast that complements the broccolis’ green hues beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully as a fresh, light vegetable side alongside rich mains like crispy duck, ginger soy chicken, or even a hearty beef stir-fry. It’s also wonderful when served with steamed jasmine rice to soak up every last drop of the oyster sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stunning presentation at your next dinner party, arrange the Chinese broccoli in a circular fan shape on a platter, then drizzle the sauce evenly across the middle. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves or sliced scallions to bring in a lovely green freshness that invites bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the Chinese broccoli and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the broccoli’s crispness and the oyster sauce’s richness for up to 2 days.
Freezing
Because Chinese broccoli can become soggy after thawing, freezing is not recommended for best texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated if you want to save it for later.
Reheating
When reheating, lightly steam or microwave the broccoli just until warmed through to avoid overcooking. Add the oyster sauce fresh if stored separately, and toss gently to refresh that vibrant flavor and glossy finish.
FAQs
Can I use regular broccoli instead of Chinese broccoli in this recipe?
While regular broccoli is a fine substitute, it has a milder flavor and different texture. Chinese broccoli offers a unique bitterness and tougher stems that make the dish stand out authentically, so try to find it if you can.
Is oyster sauce vegetarian?
Traditional oyster sauce contains oyster extracts, which are not vegetarian. If you prefer a vegetarian version of the Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe, you can try mushroom-based vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives widely available in stores.
How spicy is this dish? Can I add heat?
This classic recipe is mild with no heat. Feel free to add sliced fresh chili or a dash of chili oil when serving if you love a bit of spice to awaken your taste buds.
What’s the best way to pick Chinese broccoli at the market?
Look for bright green leaves without yellowing or spots, and stalks that are firm and not overly woody. Fresh Gai Lan should smell clean and fresh, with crisp leaves and stems.
Can I double the recipe for a larger group?
Absolutely! Just multiply the ingredients proportionally and adjust the cooking times slightly so that the broccoli stays tender yet crisp when cooked in larger batches.
Final Thoughts
This Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe is a shining example of how something simple can be absolutely spectacular. The harmony of fresh greens and savory sauce never fails to brighten a meal, and the quick prep means it’s always ready to impress. So gather your ingredients, give this recipe a whirl, and savor a little taste of authentic Chinese restaurant magic right at home.
Print
Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings (2-4 as a side dish)
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Restaurant Style Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce is a quick and flavorful side dish featuring tender steamed Chinese broccoli dressed in a savory oyster sauce mixture. Perfect for an authentic Chinese meal, it balances the natural bitterness of the vegetable with a rich umami sauce enhanced by garlic, ginger, and a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 bunch Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan)
Sauce
- 1 tsp corn flour / corn starch
- 6 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (substitute: Mirin or Dry Sherry)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil (or canola or peanut oil)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- 1 tsp ginger, finely grated
Instructions
- Prepare the Chinese Broccoli: Trim the ends off the Chinese broccoli. If any stems are very thick, cut them in half so all stems are approximately the same width for even cooking.
- Steam the Broccoli: Steam the Chinese broccoli using your preferred method. The original recipe uses a microwave steamer on high for 4 minutes. The broccoli should be tender but still crisp and not floppy.
- Cut the Broccoli: Stack the steamed Chinese broccoli together and cut into 4 inch (10cm) lengths. Stack them neatly on top of each other for presentation.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with water to make a slurry. In a small pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sugar, and the cornflour slurry, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
- Serve: Drizzle the hot oyster sauce mixture evenly over the stacked Chinese broccoli. Serve immediately as a delicious side dish with rice or your favorite Asian meal.
Notes
- Use fresh Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan) with tender leaves and firm stems.
- Adjust steaming time depending on the thickness of the stems and your cooking equipment.
- You can substitute Chinese cooking wine with Mirin or Dry Sherry if needed.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace oyster sauce with vegetarian mushroom sauce.
- For more flavor, you can add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
