🥬 Asian Vegetables Seasonal Guide for Victoria
Asian vegetables play a vital role in Victorian kitchens, especially in modern fusion and pan-Asian menus. Thanks to Victoria’s cool climate and strong migrant farming communities, we see a consistent supply of popular leafy greens throughout most of the year.
Peak Season: April to October
Common Varieties: Bok Choy, Choy Sum, Wombok, Snake Beans, Water Spinach (Kangkong), Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli)
Asian leafy greens such as Bok Choy and Choy sum thrive in Victoria’s cooler months, especially between autumn and early spring. During summer, interstate growers — particularly from Queensland and New South Wales — help fill the gaps to ensure year-round availability.
These greens are favoured not only in Asian cuisine but also across innovative Australian menus where freshness and versatility matter. They’re ideal for quick stir-fries, steaming, or adding a crisp bite to salads and broths.
Storage Tip: eep Asian greens in a breathable container or paper bag inside the fridge. Use within 2–3 days for maximum crunch and flavour.
| ASIAN VEGETABLES | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bok Choy | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Chinese Broccoli | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Choy Sum | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Wombok | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Snake Beans | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.