Add Veggies To Dinner: Stir Fry Garlic Water Spinach

I decided to make Stir Fry Garlic Water Spinach for dinner. We’re in Taiwan this week, and visited the day market today. I found these super fresh water spinach 空心菜, so we’re going to add this to our dinner spread. Water Spinach, or Morning Glory, is an easy way to add a healthy leafy green to a meal. Next time you see this vegetable in the Asian supermarket, try this easy gluten-free, vegetarian household recipe!

---

_{Hey there! Just so you know, some links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you click and buy something, I earn a tiny commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support Tiffy Cooks and keep our kitchen cooking. Thanks for the love!}

What Is Water Spinach?

One of the things I love about traveling is cooking with local ingredients. Water Spinach is a super common vegetable throughout Asia. Also called morning glory, or Ong Choy, this hollow leafy vegetable grows readily in wetland areas with little to no maintenance. It’s full of fiber, vitamin A, and iron.

If you never had water spinach before, it has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of earthiness. Similar to spinach, but with a more distinct crispiness and freshness. When cooked, water spinach retains its crunchiness, adding texture to the dish.

Garlic Water Spinach Ingredients

How To Cook Water Spinach

In Asia, you’ll often see water spinach cooked a few different ways: blanched, stir fried, or added to soup. Usually, they’re also paired with any heavily flavored sauces: XO sauce, black bean sauce, fish sauce, and more. I like to blanch mine first, then sauté with garlic. so simple yet delicious.

Growing up, water spinach was something I only really got to eat in Taiwan. Now, you can see them all the time in your nearest Asian supermarket in the produce section! Before cooking, make sure to wash the Water Spinach thoroughly!

How To Make Garlic Water Spinach

1. In a pot of water, add salt and oil. Set the pot to boil.
2. Once boiling, blanch water spinach for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add oil, salt, and garlic in pan, and stir fry until fragrant.
4. Add blanched water spinach to pan and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Here’s A few more yummy vegetarian household dishes you’ll find on my dinner table: