This item
Bean Sprouts
- pale slightly curved short stems
- small seed heads at the tips
- fine roots and little developed leaf
Vegetables
Bean Sprouts
Bean Sprouts is the market group for edible sprouted beans, with pale short stems, seed heads and fine roots; the bean species is label-led.
Share with Helper
Choose the recipient language and share that exact page.
3 identity clues
- pale slightly curved short stems
- small seed heads at the tips
- fine roots and little developed leaf
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 芽菜
- English
- Bean Sprouts
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Tauge
- Tagalog
- Toge
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): ngaa4 coi3 No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Bean Sprouts is the market group for edible sprouted beans, with pale short stems, seed heads and fine roots; the bean species is label-led. This page follows the authoritative HK-market name and identification scope.
How to identify it
Look for many pale curved short stems, small seed heads and fine roots with little leaf growth; appearance does not prove mung or soy.
Common confusion
Compare
Pea Shoots
- Tender pea vine tips with paired oval leaflets and fine curling tendrils.
- Look for soft green stems, paired leaflets and delicate tendrils.
- Pea shoots have leaflets and tendrils; bean sprouts are mostly pale thick stems.
How to identify it
Pea shoots are leafy young tips with tendrils; bean sprouts are mainly pale stems, seed heads and fine roots.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Use Bean Sprouts only where the recipe names it, following the stated amount and cooking method.
Choosing & preparing
Wash under clean running water before preparation, then cook thoroughly before eating; washing does not replace cooking. Do not use soap or produce wash.
Storage
Follow CFS vegetable-storage guidance and purchase directions; if washed before storage, dry thoroughly first.
Helper tip
Pea shoots are leafy young tips with tendrils; bean sprouts are mainly pale stems, seed heads and fine roots. Sprouts may carry harmful bacteria; pregnant people, young children, older adults and people with weakened immunity should especially avoid raw or undercooked sprouts.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
買芽菜。The employer is asking you to buy Bean Sprouts; check the market sign or original package.
Useful market phrase
我想買芽菜。Meaning: I would like to buy Bean Sprouts.
Does the image look correct?
Last reviewed:
Sources (7)
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Public Market Items Multilingual Booklet
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Public Market Items - Other Foods
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Other foods Cantonese pinyin
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — Safe and Fresh: Practical Tips for Storing Vegetables
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — Pesticide Residues in Food - Frequently Asked Questions
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — Food Safety Focus 60: E. coli outbreaks and sprouts
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — High-risk Foods