This item
Water Spinach
- Long stems with a hollow tube
- Pointed or arrow-shaped leaves
- Visible nodes where leaf stalks emerge
Vegetables
Water Spinach
A common Hong Kong leafy vegetable with long hollow stems and pointed or arrow-shaped green leaves.
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3 identity clues
- Long stems with a hollow tube
- Pointed or arrow-shaped leaves
- Visible nodes where leaf stalks emerge
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 通菜
- English
- Water Spinach
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Kangkung (通菜)
- Tagalog
- Kangkong / Water Spinach (通菜)
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): tung1 coi3 No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Water spinach is the official Hong Kong market English name for 通菜. It is also called ong choy, morning glory, swamp cabbage or kangkung.
How to identify it
Look for long tender stems with a clearly hollow centre, visible nodes and pointed green leaves. It is not ordinary spinach despite the English name.
Common confusion
Compare
Chinese Amaranth
- Soft oval or broad leaves
- Tender stems normally solid rather than hollow
- Green and red-veined varieties both occur
Compare
Watercress
- Many slender stems
- Small rounded leaflets along the stems
- Usually sold in bunches
How to identify it
Water spinach has long hollow stems; Chinese amaranth normally has solid stems and different leaf veins.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Commonly stir-fried with garlic, fermented bean curd or shrimp paste.
Choosing & preparing
Remove tough stems and yellow leaves, inspect each section, wash thoroughly under running water and drain before quick cooking.
Storage
Keep unwashed and dry in the refrigerator and use quickly. Wrap cut portions and refrigerate.
Helper tip
Chinese amaranth normally has solid stems rather than a hollow tube. Break one stem or ask the employer if unsure.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
今晚用腐乳炒通菜。The employer wants water spinach stir-fried with fermented bean curd, not ordinary spinach.
Useful market phrase
唔該要一斤嫩通菜。Meaning: One catty (斤) of tender Water Spinach, please.
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