Heat in a large skillet over medium-high heat:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Add and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute:
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 dried red chile pepper (such as de árbol) or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Add and cook, stirring, until just crisp-tender, about 3 minutes:
- 3 large celery ribs, thinly sliced on the diagonal
Remove from the heat and stir in:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- (1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil)