At the table
Eat hot with chopsticks; it can be shared as a vegetable dish alongside rice.
Contains crustaceans from shrimp paste and is not vegetarian or vegan. Ask about chili if you prefer mild food.
This version uses garlic and red chili; sauces and oil may differ elsewhere.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Shrimp-paste saltiness and chili heat vary; some versions use additional seasonings.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Salty and strongly savory, with garlic and some chili heat.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Soft leaves and lightly crisp hollow stems.
- How it’s made
- Quickly stir-fried with oil, garlic, shrimp paste and red chili.
Shrimp-paste saltiness and chili heat vary; some versions use additional seasonings.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Hong Kong.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有虾酱空心菜吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A green dish with a fermented flavor
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
通菜 and 空心菜 name the same vegetable. Here, fermented shrimp paste gives the greens their distinctive savory aroma; whole shrimp need not appear on the plate.
