15 Mins Chinese Spinach Salad 🥗
Chinese Spinach Salad, also known as 凉拌菠菜 (Liáng Bàn Bō Cài), is a simple yet flavourful cold dish that’s often served as a side on Chinese dining tables. It’s light, refreshing, and bursting with garlicky aroma and a touch of spice from dried chilies.
This dish is not only appetising and savoury, but it’s also packed with nutrients — spinach is rich in iron, vitamins A and C, and fiber, making it a healthy companion to heavier main dishes like braised pork, fried rice, or noodles.
It’s also one of those recipes that prove good food doesn’t have to be complicated — just a handful of ingredients and 15 minutes are all you need to bring this delicious side dish to life.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 bunch spinach
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1–2 dried chili (adjust to your spice level)
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
Optional
- ½ tsp sesame oil or a pinch of salt
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
1. Boil the Spinach
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, add your washed spinach and blanch for about 30–45 seconds — just until it softens and turns bright green.
After blanching, quickly transfer the spinach into cold water (or rinse under running cold water). This step stops the cooking process and keeps the colour bright.
Gently squeeze out excess water and place the spinach on a serving plate or bowl.
❤️ Tip: Don’t overcook it! If spinach is boiled too long, it becomes mushy and loses nutrients.
2. Make the Hot Oil Seasoning
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add minced garlic and dried chilli pieces. Stir-fry briefly — about 10–15 seconds, just until fragrant.
When it smells amazing, pour the hot oil mixture directly over the spinach. You should hear a satisfying sizzle — this helps release the aroma of the garlic and chilli onto the spinach.
❤️ Tip: Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic will make the oil taste bitter.
3. Add the Seasonings
Now add your sauces:
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
Mix everything well so that the spinach absorbs all those savoury flavours.
4. Serve And Enjoy
Your Chinese Spinach Salad is now ready! Serve it warm or chilled, depending on your preference. It’s perfect as a refreshing side dish with rice, noodles, or even grilled meats.
Extra Tips
1. Make It Spicy
Add a spoonful of chilli oil for an extra kick.
2. Add Crunch
Top with toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
3. Make Ahead
This salad can be stored in the fridge for up to a day — great for meal prep!
This 15-minute Chinese Spinach Salad is the kind of dish that reminds you how beautiful simplicity can be. It’s fragrant, savoury, slightly tangy, and wonderfully refreshing — perfect for balancing out richer dishes on the table.
Next time you’re looking for a quick and healthy side dish, give this recipe a try — it might just become your new go-to!
Chinese Spinach Salad
Ingredients
- 1 bunch spinach
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 dried chilli
- 1 tbsp hot oil
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- ½ tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
Instructions
- Blanch the spinach: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and blanch briefly until it softens and turns bright green. Transfer to cold water, drain well, and gently squeeze out excess water.
- Prepare the hot oil seasoning: Heat 1 tbsp oil until hot. Add garlic and dried chilli and cook briefly until fragrant. Immediately pour the hot oil over the spinach.
- Add seasonings: Add 1 tsp light soy sauce, ½ tsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp vinegar, and 1 tsp oyster sauce. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately, warm or chilled, as a light and savoury side dish.
Notes
- Make it spicy: Add a spoonful of chilli oil for an extra kick.
- Add crunch: Top with toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts.
- Make ahead: This salad can be stored in the fridge for up to a day — great for meal prep!
