Tender spinach with slender stems and smooth deep-green leaves.
Look for thin stems and smooth oval-to-arrow-shaped leaves; do not substitute red-stemmed amaranth.
Spinach has tender smooth leaves; Chinese amaranth often has stouter stems and coloured veins.
Reading language:English
Names in other languages
繁體中文
菠菜
English
Spinach
Bahasa Indonesia
Spinach (菠菜) — bukan bayam atau amarant lokal
Tagalog
Spinach (菠菜) — hindi kulitis
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping):bo1 coi3No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Spinach is a leafy vegetable with tender leaves and slender stalks. Leaves may be oval or arrow-shaped; do not confuse it with amaranth with red stalks or purplish veins.
How to identify it
Look for thin stems and smooth oval-to-arrow-shaped leaves; do not substitute red-stemmed amaranth.
Common confusion
This item
Spinach
Tender spinach with slender stems and smooth deep-green leaves.
Look for thin stems and smooth oval-to-arrow-shaped leaves; do not substitute red-stemmed amaranth.
Spinach has tender smooth leaves; Chinese amaranth often has stouter stems and coloured veins.
Spinach has tender smooth leaves; Chinese amaranth often has stouter stems and coloured veins.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Use in a recipe that specifically names this vegetable; this page identifies the market item only.
Choosing & preparing
Wash thoroughly under clean running water before cooking; do not use soap, special detergent or produce wash.
Storage
Wash only immediately before cooking or eating; if pre-washing is necessary, dry thoroughly and follow the label or supplier storage directions.
Helper tip
Use the Hong Kong name and check the physical features or original label when buying. Look for thin stems and smooth oval-to-arrow-shaped leaves; do not substitute red-stemmed amaranth.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
唔該要菠菜，俾我睇清楚先。
The employer wants Spinach and asks for it to be checked before purchase.
Useful market phrase
唔該要菠菜，俾我睇清楚先。
Meaning: Spinach, please. Let me look at it carefully first.
