Gai lan also known as: Chinese broccoli, kai lan, is a dark-green vegetable with thick, glossy stalks, large leaves, and small yellow flower heads in the center. It’s a little more bitter than broccoli, but the stalks taste similar to broccoli stalks. It’s usually steamed and served with oyster sauce, although it can be used in stir-fries if the stalks are blanched first.