Quick vegan stir-fried zucchini with garlic, soy sauce, and a crisp-tender bite, an easy Chinese-style side dish. Crisp, garlicky, and deceptively simple, this stir-fried zucchini proves that vegetables can steal the spotlight at the dinner table.
I’m not sure if you’ve stumbled across Wayne Shen, aka @foodiechina888 on TikTok, but if you haven’t, you’re missing out on one of the most unique voices in food content right now. He blends authentic Chinese home cooking with a humour so dry and absurd it almost feels poetic. His ingredient descriptions are as iconic as his food, things like “evil chicken bouillon,” “water from the Mississippi River,” or instructions to “gently give meat a Thai massage.”
When I first came across his page, I wasn’t even looking for comedy. I was searching for vegetable dishes (an area I admittedly don’t gravitate toward often), but his videos stopped me in my tracks. The colours were so vibrant, the flavours so straightforward, that I immediately wanted to cook them. That’s how I ended up trying his Vegan Stir-Fried Zucchini, and I’ve got to say, it’s not just funny, it’s actually delicious.
A Simple Dish That Punches Above Its Weight
Zucchini or Courgettes as what we call them here in New Zeland is one of those vegetables that often gets relegated to the side of the plate, but this recipe makes it the star. The trick is in the pre-salting, which pulls out excess moisture so the stir-fry stays crisp rather than soggy. The garlic and soy sauce build flavour quickly, and if you like a little heat, a sprinkle of chilli flakes brings everything alive.
It’s fast, it’s vegan, and it pairs perfectly with rice, but it’s also the kind of dish that works as a quick snack if you’re not in the mood for something heavy.
Final Thoughts
Wayne Shen might play his recipes for laughs, but dishes like this prove that humour and good cooking can go hand in hand. Stir-fried zucchini is as simple as it gets, yet with the right technique, it becomes flavourful, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
So next time you find yourself scrolling TikTok, don’t just laugh, cook along. You might discover that even the humblest vegetables can surprise you.
Don’t ‘do’ Tik-Tok but have always loved zucchini especially stir-fried :) ! Love your way of cutting it and presenting as I usually have just cut across the vegetable and not the long way – much more apetizing!
We often include zucchini in our stir fries…especially during the late summer months when zucchini are so plentiful. This looks especially delicious, Raymund!
Don’t ‘do’ Tik-Tok but have always loved zucchini especially stir-fried :) ! Love your way of cutting it and presenting as I usually have just cut across the vegetable and not the long way – much more apetizing!
It makes it soft yet firm, specially when salted then rinsed off, becomes pliable instead of being stiff. Gives a nice texture
Simple and beautiful! Thanks, David
We often include zucchini in our stir fries…especially during the late summer months when zucchini are so plentiful. This looks especially delicious, Raymund!
I can never get enough zucchini! This looks SO good, I’m seriously going to make it tonight. I need this in my life ASAP!
I love zucchini. This recipe is perfect!