Water Spinach, Kang Kung
Also known as water convolvulus and swamp cabbage. This leafy vegetable is
prolific in many parts of Asia. The leaves are long and pointed and dark green,
the stems paler green and hollow.
Preparation: It should be washed thoroughly as it grows in swampy areas. It may
be cooked like spinach, stir-fried with various sauces, or added to soups. To
keep a bright colour blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, refresh in cold
water and drain. Add to recipe and toss with flavours for a minute or so.
Often, in Asian shops, the stems alone are sold in plastic bags, looking like
pale green corkscrew curls. This is because they have been cut into lengths,
split into thin shreds and soaked in cold water to make them curl. The swollen
stems split readily, making it a decorative effect that could be achieved at
home.
Other Languages:
- China: ong choy, ung tsai
- India: kalmua
- Indonesia: kangkung
- Japan: kankon
- Malaysia: kangkung
- Philippines: kangkong
- Sri Lanka: kangkung
- Thailand: pak boong
- Vietnam: rau muong, rau muong che
Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is a member of the Convolvulaceae
(Morning glory) family and the same genus as the sweet potato (Ipomoea
batatas). Water spinach is an herbaceous aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial
plant of the tropics and subtropics. It has a creeping growth habit but may
grow erect in water. There are two major cultivars of water spinach. Ching
Quat, also known as “green stem” water spinach, has narrow leaves and white
flowers and is usually grown in moist soils. Pak Quat, also known as “white
stem” water spinach, has arrow-shaped leaves and pink flowers and is grown
in aquatic conditions, similar to rice.
Almost all parts of the young plant tissue are edible, but the tender
shoot tips and younger leaves are preferred. Other names of water spinach
include: water convolvulus, swamp cabbage (English); kankon, you-sai
(Japanese); ong tsoi, weng cai (Cantonese); toongsin tsai (Mandarin); kang
kong (Filipino, Malaysian); kang kung, rau muong (Vietnamese); pak bung
(Thai); batata acquatica, cancon (Portuguese). |
