Eating in China
Generated guide illustration of shepherds purse; not product evidence.

Shepherd's purse

荠菜Jìcài

A leafy vegetable with lobed basal leaves.

Type
Vegetables

A CLOSER LOOK

How to recognize it

Capsella bursa-pastoris: a leafy plant with clustered, deeply lobed basal leaves and narrower upper leaves. Mature plants bear small triangular, heart-shaped pods.

In the kitchen

Used in Shanghai pork wontons.

The chopped edible leaves in wonton filling differ from a whole flowering plant. Bok choy is a separate vegetable alternative.

Ask about this ingredient

这道菜里有荠菜吗?

Does this dish contain Shepherd's purse?

EATING IN CHINA · THE APP

Get the app

Discover local dishes, understand their ingredients and flavours, and choose what you’d like to try. Explore vegetarian, vegan and kid-friendly food ideas for your China trip.

Food guides, ingredients and trip planning are free.

See what’s in the app