waa1 waa1 coi3娃娃菜
Jyutpingwaa1 waa1 coi3
Yalewā wā choi
Definition
Baby Chinese cabbage; a small, short variety with light green leaves and white stems.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Often confused with 黃芽白, which is the larger, more mature version of the same plant. While 黃芽白 is typically used for long-simmered soups or braised dishes, 娃娃菜 is prized for its tender texture and sweetness, making it a popular choice for quick boiling or hot pot.
Measure word
fo2棵fóExamples
You must order a plate of baby cabbage when having hot pot.
Related words
Common phrases
baby cabbage in superior broth
Common mistake
Do not assume they are interchangeable in all recipes. Because 娃娃菜 is much smaller and more delicate, it cooks significantly faster than the tougher, larger leaves of 黃芽白.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
