Tumis Sayur Sambal (Stir-fried Greens with Sambal)
Pak choi and spinach flash fried with garlic, shallot and sambal, a quick Indonesian greens side that goes with everything.
Made with Sambal oelek (chilli sambal). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time15 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.07 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wok or very large pan over a high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and stir fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
1 min - 2
Add your ready made sambal oelek (see the base recipe) and the sliced pak choi stems and fry for 2 minutes.
2 min - 3
Add the pak choi leaves and the spinach, in handfuls if the pan is full. Toss for 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted but still bright green.
2 min 30 s - 4
Add the tamari and the water and toss for 30 seconds more.
- 5
Taste and serve straight away while the greens are still vibrant.
Tips
- Traditional tumis kangkung uses water spinach (kangkung), sold in Asian shops. Pak choi with spinach is an easy UK swap with a similar texture.
- Cook greens very fast over high heat so they stay bright and do not release lots of water.
- Do not salt early. The tamari and sambal are salty enough.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Leftovers keep 1 day in the fridge once cooled within 1 hour. Reheat until steaming hot, though the greens will be softer.
Questions
Where can I find water spinach?
Look for kangkung or water spinach in Asian supermarkets, often with the fresh herbs. If you find it, use 600 g with the stems cut into 5 cm lengths and cook them 1 minute before the leaves.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It uses only vegetables, oil, tamari and sambal, so it is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free. Traditional versions with shrimp paste are not vegan, but this one has none.
What does it go with?
It works with rice and any grilled meat, fish or tofu. It is the classic side for fried chicken, satay and grilled fish.
More made with sambal oelek (chilli sambal)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.