Chinese chives form bunches of flat, solid, narrow dark-green leaves.
Look for strap-like flat blades and fibrous white bases, not hollow tubular leaves.
Chinese chives are dark green; yellow chives are pale yellow from blanching.
How to identify it
Spring onion leaves are hollow tubes; Chinese chive leaves are flat and solid.
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 cylindrical white-to-pale-green sheaths, hollow dark-green leaves and only a small undeveloped bulb.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
唔該要蔥，俾我睇清楚先。
The employer wants Spring Onion / Scallion and asks for it to be checked before purchase.
Useful market phrase
唔該要蔥，俾我睇清楚先。
Meaning: Spring Onion / Scallion, please. Let me look at it carefully first.
