Baby bok choy is one of the easiest green vegetables to stir-fry: it needs almost no prep, cooks in minutes, and takes on garlic and hot oil well. The trick is heat management — a hot pan and dry greens give you lightly charred stems and wilted leaves; a crowded or wet pan gives you steamed greens instead.

This version keeps the seasoning minimal so the bok choy itself stays the point.

Ingredients

Serves 3 as a side.

1 lb (450 g) baby bok choy, about 3 heads, halved lengthwise
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 1/2 tbsp neutral oil with a high smoke point (avocado, canola, or peanut)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil (optional, added off heat)
Pinch of white pepper (optional)

Method

Trim the very bottom of each bok choy head and halve lengthwise. Swish in a large bowl of cold water, changing the water twice, to remove grit trapped between the layers.
Dry the greens well. Spin in a salad spinner, then pat with clean towels. Excess wash water drops the pan temperature and steams the bok choy instead of searing it — this is the single biggest quality lever in the dish.
Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact. Add the neutral oil and swirl to coat.
Add the bok choy cut-side down in a single layer. If it does not fit, work in two batches — crowding steams. Sear undisturbed about 2 minutes until the cut sides pick up light char.
Stir-fry 2 minutes more, tossing, until the leaves wilt and the stems are tender-crisp. Push the greens to the sides, add the garlic to the oil in the center, and stir 20 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Sprinkle over the salt, sugar, and white pepper (if using); toss to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil off the heat. Serve immediately.

Tips and ingredient notes

Baby vs. regular bok choy: baby heads halve neatly. Large heads should be quartered or cut into 2-inch pieces, keeping stems and leaves in separate piles so the denser stems get a head start.
Garlic, sliced vs. minced: sliced garlic is more forgiving at high heat; minced garlic burns fast and must go in at the very end.
Soy sauce variant: some published versions add 1 tbsp light soy sauce. It darkens the dish and adds salt — fine as a variation, but it changes the clean garlic flavor this version aims for.

Storage and food safety

Allergen note: contains sesame if you use the optional sesame oil. This is a 10-minute side, not a meal. Leftovers keep up to 4 days refrigerated in an airtight container, but the stems soften — it does not re-crisp.