Chives; Garlic Chives; Chinese Chives

The fine tender green hollow round stems of European chives are not found in Burma but make a good substitute for fresh greens in some dishes; their botanical name is Allium schoenoprasum. In Burma, especially in Kachin and Shan states, the greens on offer in the markets often include Chinese chives, Allium chinense, which have flat green blades and look like grass. Because their taste is more like garlic than the onion flavor of European chives, the other common name for Chinese chives is garlic chives. They can be chopped fine and used fresh, but are more commonly stir-fried.