Yu Choy Sum is wilted in a vegetable broth flavored with miso, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. This flavorful and comforting vegan and gluten free soup comes together in just 20 minutes with minimal effort!
There’s a certain comfort and stability in simplicity. When I come across new-to-me veggies in my Loam Agronomics CSA share like Yu Choy Sum, I employ simple cooking methods that allow me to fully experience their taste and texture. Considering the drop in temperature and blustery winds blowing in, I went with a simple miso-based soup to showcase this lovely, leafy green brassica. The steam from the soup gently wilts the greens so you can benefit from maximum flavor and nutrients. A (vegan) grilled cheese or a steaming bowl of rice would make the perfect companion to this soup!
What is Yu Choy Sum?
Yu Choy Sum, often referred to as Yu Choy or Choy Sum, is a member of the brassica family along with other cool season veggies like kale and broccoli. It is a leafy vegetable that will produce thick stems with yellow flowers. Sometimes just the leaves are bunched together and sold, but oftentimes you can find the stems and flowers bunched with the leaves. The leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible and have a flavor that tastes like a mix of broccoli and bok choy with a subtle sweetness. You can can it at farmers markets and Asian markets.
What You Need to Make this Recipe
- Vegetable Broth – a flavorful vegetable broth makes quick work of this soup, serving as the base.
- Garlic, Ginger Root, & Red Pepper Flakes – these aromatics infuse flavor into the soup.
- Mellow Miso Paste – it wouldn’t be miso soup without miso paste! I prefer a mellow miso here. It adds a beautiful depth of umami flavor to the soup.
- Yu Choy Sum – chopped yu choy sum is added to the soup once it’s removed from the heat so that it gently wilts. It adds texture and a healthy bit of leafy greens to the soup. If you can’t find any, feel free to use bok choy leaves or kale in its place. If you eat gluten free, make sure your miso is labeled as gluten free!
- Thinly Sliced Radishes & Chopped Herbs – these optional soup toppings add fresh flavor that contrasts the savory soup.
Yu Choy Sum Miso Soup
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Yu Choy Sum is wilted in a vegetable broth flavored with miso, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. This flavorful and comforting vegan and gluten free soup comes together in just 20 minutes with minimal effort!
Ingredients
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
- 1-inch piece of ginger root, grated or finely chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1–2 tbsp mellow miso paste
- 1 bunch yu choy sum, thinly sliced
- thinly sliced radish for serving (optional)
- chopped cilantro or basil for serving (optional)
Instructions
Add the vegetable broth, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to a pot set over medium heat. Bring the broth to a simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow it to heat through and the aromatics to infuse the broth. Whisk in the miso paste, then remove the broth from the heat. Add the yu choy sum to the pot then cover it with a lid. Allow the heat to steam the yu choy sum for 2-3 minutes, then serve the soup immediately. Taste and add more salt and pepper flakes as needed. Serve topped with thinly sliced radishes and chopped cilantro and/or basil if you like!
Makes 2 servings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: soup
