bok choy

American  

[bok choi] / ˈbɒk ˈtʃɔɪ /

Or bok-choy

noun

• bok choys
  plural

1. a type of Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa chinensis, with long, broad, dark green leaves and pale stalks that form a cluster rather than a head, grown throughout East Asia and cultivated elsewhere, especially northern Europe, as the plant can withstand a cold climate.

2. the leaves and stalks of this plant eaten as a raw or cooked vegetable, especially in East Asian cuisine.

---

bok choy British  

/ ˈbɒk ˈtʃɔɪ /

noun

1. Also called: Chinese cabbage.   Chinese leaf.   pak-choi cabbage.  a Chinese plant, Brassica chinensis, that is related to the cabbage and has edible stalks and leaves

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bok choys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of bok choy

First recorded in 1845–50; from Chinese dialect (Guangdong) baahk-chòi, literally, “white vegetable,” akin to Chinese báicài

Compare meaning

How does bok-choy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• napa cabbage vs. bok choy

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bok choy

From garlic-lemon sautéed greens to ramen topped with baby bok choy, here are a few great meals to make with just a box of chicken stock.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

Massaged kale, peppery arugula, thin-sliced bok choy, spinach, cabbage.

From Salon ● Jan. 13, 2026

By 10 p.m. at the Seafood City in North Hills, at least 500 people are dancing in the produce section, next to rows of saba bananas, fresh taro leaves and bok choy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

Hsiao grew up in Laguna Beach, where her parents, Taiwanese immigrants, ran a farm specializing in Chinese fruits and vegetables such as bok choy and bamboo shoots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

Friday morning Joe walked to the farmer's market and bought onions, bok choy, lettuce, and carrots.

From Joe Burke's Last Stand by John Moncure Wetterau