Water Spinach

[Swamp Cabbage; Ong Choy - variously spelled (Cantonese); Pak Hung, Pak Bung (Thai); Kang Kong (Malay, Filipino); Kang Kung, Rau Muong (Vietnam); Gozun Ywet (Burma); Toongsin Tsai (Mandarin); Chinese Watercress, Water Convolvulus, Water Morning-glory; Ipomoea aquatica syn. Ipomoea reptans]

This semi-aquatic plant is widespread and of uncertain origin, but is a common vegetable in the wetter parts of India and China, and through Southeast Asia to the Philippines. It is highly nutritious, provides a very high yield per acre and grows as much as 4 inches a day. Within the U.S. it is a controlled substance where importing plants or seeds and/or growing plants without a permit are all illegal - see USDA Plant Profile. Growing it or even transporting it is totally illegal in some states.

Here in California it's a quarantined crop but may be transported without a permit within the state. Enough growers have permits it's in good supply, and that's a good thing because if it wasn't our large Asian population might try sneaking it into our waterways like they did with snakehead fish (now eradicated, but in good supply frozen). Growing with a permit and posession for personal consumption are also legal in Texas. A permit is required in Massachusetts, and mere posession is illegal in Florida. Note: In regions were Water Spinach is not available, the related Sweet Potato Leaves make a good substitute.

Narrow Leaf Ong Choy

[Ching Quat] This variety is favored by the State of California, as it can be grown in damp soil away from free water. Consequently, it is the variety widely found in Asian markets here in Southern California. The stems are used up to about 1/4 inch diameter, beyond that they're a bit tough. The photo specimens were about 19 inches long.

Broad Leaf Ong Choy:

[Pak Quat] This variety requires free water, so is more difficult to control and prevent spreading. It is, however the variety most favored in Southeast Asia. It is occasionally available here in Southern California, generally sold as "Water Ong Choy". The stems are larger than those of the narrow leaf, but more tender and can be used a little larger. Really large ones collapse in cooking and are unattractive. The photo specimens were about 24 inches long.

White Ong Choy:

This variety appeared in a Los Angeles (San Gabriel) Asian market in the Spring of 2017. It appears much like the Broad Leaf variety but with very large stems. All the stems are tender, very brittle and thin walled. Since a bunch is mostly stems, even rather thick stems are used in recipes. This variety is easily damaged and rather perishable so should be cooked the day it is purchased. They remain lightly crunchy and are not fibrous. The photo specimens were about 25 inches long. As a new item, it was still fairly expensive, at 2017 US $2.77 / pound.

I used this variety successfully in a Philippine Pork & Water Spinach Adobo (Adobong Kangkong). Of course both color and texture were affected. The thick stems remain round and lightly crunchy, adding both visual and mouth feel texture. Cut the thickest part of the stems to about 1 inch lengths, increasing to 1-3/4 inches at the thin end and the leaf stems. Give the stems about 5 minutes head start on the leaves, and the leaves about 3 minutes to wilt and cook.

Hard Stem Ong Choy:

This broad leaf variety is quite different from the others. The stems are all tough, including the leaf stems and all should be discarded. The leaves are much thicker so a lot more of the weight of the bunch is in the leaves. Because the leaves are tougher, they are a lot more durable than the long or broad leaf, and a bunch will probably last a day or two more in the fridge, carefully packed with no free water. They also need more cooking time. The photo specimens were purchased from an Asian grower at a Farmer's Market in Los Angeles. The bunch was about 14 inches long.

Buying

: Water Spinach is found in Asian markets, particularly those serving a Southeast Asian community, but not far from where it is grown because it's fragile and very perishable. It is completely illegal in some states but widely available in Southern California, generally in 1 to 2 pound bunches. The broad leaf varieties are much less available - a "buy it when you see it" item.

Leaves should be fresh looking, dark green, without black spots and not wilted. If it needs refreshing when you get it home cut off the bottom 1/2 inch of the stems and stand it upright in a bowl of water for 1/2 hour.

Storing:

Water Spinach is fragile and very perishable, particularly the long leaf variety. Store it in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic or paper, but if plastic make sure there's no free water or it'll get black spots. One day is about as long as you can hope it'll keep. Preferably cook it the day you buy it.

Cooking:

Discard stems that are more than 1/4 inch thick (Long Leaf variety) or 3/8 inch (Broad Leaf variety) as they tend to be fibrous. For White Ong Choy, you use the wholde stem. Water spinach is generally cooked a minimal time, just enough to wilt it. Pinch the leaves off leaving the leaf stems with the main stems. Cut the stems into desired lengths and keep them separate from the leaves. Cook the stems until they start to wilt (about 3 minutes) before adding the leaves. Properly cooked, the stems will remain slightly crunchy providing an interesting texture.

Water Spinach has a particular affinity for fermented shrimp. Most recipes includes either shrimp paste or ground dried shrimp - even the Chinese ones, and the Chinese are not big users of shrimp paste - except in the southeast where the water spinach grows.

Subst:

The most appropriate substitute is Yu Choy. Like water spinach the stems don't take a lot more cooking than the leaves, but the center stems are thick and not hollow. Slice them diagonally about 1/8 inch thick at the thick end adjusting to about 3/4 inch at the tender tip.

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