Napa cabbage, also known as Baechu or Chinese cabbage, is a type of leafy green vegetable commonly used in East Asian cuisine.
It is especially popular in Korean cuisine and is used in dishes like Kimchi, a traditional fermented vegetable dish, soups, salads, and stir-fries.
Not only does Napa cabbage boost flavors in various dishes, but it is also a great source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and has a high fiber content.
Being such a versatile and nutritious ingredient, Napa cabbage adds a unique texture and flavor to many dishes, hence its sheer popularity in Korea.
If you’re struggling to find Napa cabbage recipes, we are here to help.
In today’s guide, we have chosen 11 of the best Napa cabbage recipes in Korean cuisine. From cabbage pancakes to refreshing coleslaw, we have a range of versatile dishes that never fail to impress.
When making a list of Korean foods, it’s impossible to leave out Kimchi. This superfood is super healthy and loaded with strong, somewhat sour flavors.
Kimchi is essentially made up of seasoned, salted, and fermented cabbage leaves. You can use various types of pickled cabbage or vegetable varieties, but Napa cabbage always works well due to its crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor.
What makes Kimchi so healthy is the probiotics, made naturally when the cabbage ferments. These are beneficial for your gut’s health, potentially offering immune system support. This traditional Kimchi recipe is a flavorful and nutritious addition to your diet.
Okay, cabbage may not be the first ingredient you think of when someone mentions pancakes, but hear us out. Baechujeon is a popular type of savory Korean pancake, perfect for chowing down on at any time of the day.
What makes these stand out from sweet pancakes is the delicious batter, often light and crispy, complementing the tender texture of cabbage.
Vegetable stock provides an added depth of flavor to these crispy delights, but you can use whatever type of stock you like.
Even soy sauce works wonders! Simply dip your Napa cabbage leaves in the tasty batter and pan fry until perfectly golden.
Cut into bite-size pieces, dip them into a sauce of your choice (we recommend soy sauce), and enjoy!
Want to make something quickly? This Kimchi chicken and cabbage stir-fry recipe is an ideal weekday dinner.
Just make more than you think you need because everyone always wants a second helping!
In under 20 minutes, this delicious meal can be served, and you only need a few basic ingredients.
This particular stir-fry recipe uses a combination of fresh sliced cabbage and Kimchi. The crispiness of the freshly sliced Napa cabbage with the bold and tangy flavors of Kimchi form the base of this wholly satisfying dish.
The Kimchi itself adds a pleasing tangy and tart flavor to the entire dish. If you want some extra spice and flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Korean chili sauce and some teaspoons of fish sauce. A taste sensation!
This spicy stir-fried pork with Kimchi recipe is a delectable Korean masterpiece, loved for its dynamic burst of flavors, and distinct textures.
Dwaeji-kimchi duruchigi, as it is known in Korean, marries the well-fermented Kimchi with the succulent pork, creating a dream team of spiciness and meatiness.
The flavors are further heightened by the various serving options. You can serve it “ssam” style, by wrapping it in Napa cabbage leaves, or combine the food directly with the rice.
The use of Napa cabbage adds a wonderful hint of sweetness, balancing perfectly with the rich and bold flavors emanating throughout the dish.
Quick And Easy To Make Napa Cabbage Korean Recipes
Coleslaw partners so many dishes, but it can sometimes be a bit bland. If you want more flavors from your coleslaw, look no further than this Korean spicy slaw recipe.
Fresh and packed with flavors, this coleslaw dressing is made from gochujang, a Korean hot pepper paste, giving the sliced vegetables a spicy kick.
Just looking at this slaw will make you salivate, and it tastes just as good, if not better, than it looks.
It is full of delicious veggies, including red cabbage, Napa cabbage, red bell peppers, carrots, and green onions, resulting in a vivid, eye-catching side dish. Everything about this slaw is divine. All you have to do is try it for yourself!
With Napa cabbage and pink radish, this salad is beautifully light, crunchy, and oh-so-yummy.
What we love most about this crispy, fresh salad is the tangy and sweet roasted sesame seed dressing, adding another layer of deliciousness. The cabbage is thinly sliced, so the coating of dressing shines through with every bite.
Here is another healthy Napa cabbage recipe, with soybean paste adding a robust umami flavor with a savory and slightly salty taste.
The paste also provides a smooth and thick texture, adding depth to the whole dish.
Packed with goodness and bursting with flavors, this recipe features a balanced blend of crispy Napa cabbage and refreshing ingredients, which can be customized with minced meat, if preferred. A true savory and textured delight!
It’s time to enter the realm of Korean-Mexican fusion with these quick and vibrant Korean pork tacos.
The melding of spicy, pungent Korean flavors with saucy gochujang-infused pork, sandwiched in a flour tortilla and crowned with crisp red cabbage slaw, is a culinary symphony worth savoring.
The saucy pork filling tastes incredible alongside the spicy kick from gochujang, complemented further by the kimchi-inspired red cabbage slaw, though Napa cabbage works just as well.
Tangy vinegar-infused sour cream adds a perfect balance, boosting the overall texture and taste of these brightly flavored tacos.
Korean cuisine often gives us vibrant, refreshing flavors, but there are also a number of filling, comforting dishes, such as this soybean paste soup with Napa cabbage.
Soybean paste, known as doenjang, is a staple ingredient in many Korean dishes, so make sure you have some at hand for this recipe.
Doenjang has a pungent and robust flavor that can be a bit too much for some people, but the broth in this soup mellows out the bold flavor profile, creating a gloriously light soup base.
If you love Napa cabbage, you will adore this soup, as it is packed full of the leafy green, boiled in the tasty broth. The end result is a bowl of nutritious wonder.
This may be your next favorite dish! This spicy stir-fried rice cakes recipe, known as Tteokbokki, is an absolute must-try for anyone new to Korean cuisine.
The cakes are exquisitely chewy and smothered in a slightly sweet and spicy sticky sauce that melts in the mouth.
This is a popular comfort food amongst Koreans, commonly served by street vendors. But, you don’t have to head to Korea to enjoy its symphony of flavors with this easy-to-follow recipe.
These rice cakes are also found in most Asian supermarkets if you don’t feel like doing the whole recipe today.
But, you know deep down that homemade foods always taste better than store-bought items, so, start cooking these spicy treats now!
Had a big night out and feeling a little worse for wear? This ox bone hangover soup will sort you right out. Known as Ppyeo-haejangguk, this soup embodies comfort with its rich, savory broth crafted from hours of boiling ox bones.
Yes, you’ll need to have patience making this one, but trust us, it’s worth the wait.
In the end, this concoction offers a burst of earthy flavors and a smooth texture, enriched by dissolved meat, marrow, and ligaments, adding extra flavor.
This popular Korean dish is packed with collagen and nutrition, and is regularly enjoyed with fermented soybean paste.
Not only is it super tasty, but it’s also a soothing and hearty comfort food. It’s also highly nourishing and satisfying; definitely one to make for the entire family.
Final Thoughts
Korean cuisine is not only packed full of versatile flavors, but is also super healthy and nutritious.
No dishes are more nutritious than those with Napa cabbage, embodying the perfect fusion of taste and well-being that makes Korean cuisine such a brilliant, wholesome culinary experience.
Above are 11 of our favorite Napa cabbage Korean recipes, but there are so many more for you to explore.
Start with these, and you will undoubtedly find your next foody obsession. Let us know which recipe is your favorite. Enjoy!
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
