Fresh yellow chives showing flat pale-yellow blades and white bases

Vegetables

Yellow Chives / Blanched Chives

Yellow chives are blanched Chinese chives with flat pale-yellow strap-like leaves.

繁體中文: 韭黃
English: Yellow Chives / Blanched Chives
Bahasa Indonesia: Kucai kuning (韭黃)
Tagalog: Yellow Chives (韭黃) — kuchay na pinadilaw sa dilim

What is it?

Yellow Chives / Blanched Chives is a food item commonly encountered in Hong Kong homes and markets.

How to identify it

Look for uniformly cream-to-pale-yellow flat blades and white bases; the colour should not look rotten or patchy.

Yellow chives are blanched Chinese chives with flat pale-yellow strap-like leaves.
Look for uniformly cream-to-pale-yellow flat blades and white bases; the colour should not look rotten or patchy.
Yellow chives are pale flat blades; Chinese chives are green, while spring onions are hollow tubes.

Common confusion

Chinese Chives

Yellow chives are pale flat blades; Chinese chives are green, while spring onions are hollow tubes.

Common Hong Kong household uses

Use in a recipe that specifically names this vegetable; this page identifies the market item only.

Preparation or handling

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 uniformly cream-to-pale-yellow flat blades and white bases; the colour should not look rotten or patchy.

What Ma’am or Sir may say

唔該要韭黃，俾我睇清楚先。

The employer wants Yellow Chives / Blanched Chives and asks for it to be checked before purchase.

Useful market phrase