A simple side dish made in a very hot pan. Charred baby bok choy tossed with ginger, garlic, and a light oyster sauce—clean, savory, and perfect alongside miso cod.
2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into thin foins (unpeeled)
6 cloves garlic, chopped
Peanut oil
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
Dry white wine (enough to loosen the sauce)
Freshly cracked black pepper
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Char the Baby Bok Choy (Dry Pan)
Heat a wide skillet over very high heat until ripping hot.
Do not add oil.
Place the baby bok choy cut-side down in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed until you see light browning and blistering, not black char. The stems should stay plump and pale with caramelized patches.
Work in batches if needed.
Baby bok choy browning in a very hot, dry pan. Light caramelization, not hard char.
Step 2: Drain
Transfer the charred bok choy to a colander to drain any excess moisture while you finish the aromatics.
This keeps the pan dry and prevents steaming later.
Charred baby bok choy resting in a colander to drain.
Step 3: Fry the Ginger and Garlic
Return the empty pan to high heat.
Add a thin layer of peanut oil.
Add the ginger foins and chopped garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just turning golden. Do not let the garlic burn.
Ginger foins and garlic sizzling in hot oil until lightly golden.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oyster sauce with enough dry white wine to make a thin, pourable sauce.
You’re looking for something loose and glossy, not thick.
Oyster sauce loosened with white wine into a thin sauce.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Add the drained bok choy back to the pan with the ginger and garlic. Toss for about 30 seconds to coat in the aromatic oil.
Pour in the oyster–wine sauce. The pan should sizzle immediately. Toss until the bok choy is glossy and evenly coated.
Baby bok choy tossed with ginger, garlic, and oyster sauce.
Step 6: Finish
Season generously with freshly cracked black pepper.
Taste and adjust if needed (it usually won’t).
Transfer immediately to a serving dish.
Finished charred baby bok choy, glossy and lightly caramelized.
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Cook’s Notes
Dry-pan charring gives bitterness and structure that balances rich dishes like miso cod.
Ginger foins stay aromatic and slightly chewy, not soft.
Loosening the oyster sauce keeps the dish clean and light.
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