Stir-Fried Chinese Celery

By Rhonda Parkinson

Updated 09/14/18

Stir fry chinese celery
Jen Voo Photography / Getty Images
Ratings (10)
  • Total: 15 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: Serves 3 to 4
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
110 Calories
4g Fat
17g Carbs
4g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If this celery doesn't look like the pale green stalks you're used to seeing at the supermarket, that's because the Chinese variety has a completely different appearance and flavor profile. Not only are the stalks of Chinese celery thinner, often with a hollow middle, they're also far stronger than Western celery.

Chinese celery is rarely eaten raw because of its pungent and somewhat peppery taste and it's recommended to gently crush the stalks before adding to a recipe, which will result in better texture and more flavor. When cooked, Chinese celery becomes sweet and mellow with a pleasant, soft texture.

If you can’t get hold of Chinese celery then you can use the celery found in your grocery store instead, but be aware the flavor won’t be the same. 

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 ounces Chinese celery (about 1/2 pound)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or peanut oil
  • 2 garlic cloves (finely chopped)
  • 1 chili (seeds removed and julienned)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken broth (or water)
  • 2 teaspoons Chinese rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Get rid of all the leaves and roots on the celery stalks. Rinse the celery and drain.

  2. Place celery on a cutting board and use your hand to press down on the stalks to gently crush them. Slice the celery stalks into 1-inch long sections.

  3. Heat up a wok with oil at high heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and chili and stir fry until fragrant.

  4. Add the celery and stir fry until it turns slightly dark green. Add the stock and cook for 30 more seconds.

  5. Add the rice wine, soy sauce, and sugar and mix evenly. Cook until the mixture is nearly dry.

  6. Serve immediately and enjoy with rice.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • When you purchase Chinese celery from Chinese supermarkets, it usually comes with leaves and roots which you will need to get rid of, along with any dried up stalks, before you add to a recipe. 
  • Chinese celery recipes often include sliced dried tofu, julienned beef, pork or chicken, or cross-cut squid or cuttlefish. Feel free to add any of those ingredients to your stir fry.
  • Chinese celery is a good source of vitamin A and K and minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, and magnesium. It is also high in folic acid, niacin, and vitamin C, which are all essential for optimum metabolism. In addition to its nutritional value, celery is also very low in calories.