Charred Chinese Cabbage with Crispy Chilli Oil
This simple Asian-inspired side dish is packed with flavour while being naturally low in calories and rich in nutrients. Chinese leaf (also known as Napa cabbage) is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and fibre.
Pan frying brings out its natural sweetness, while garlic, sesame oil, lime, and crispy chilli oil add savoury, spicy, and fresh flavours. It's the perfect accompaniment to salmon, sea bass, chicken, or tofu.
Save this for Chinese Cabbage season.
What would you serve this with?
Serves
2–4 as a side dish
Ingredients
1 whole Chinese leaf (Chinese cabbage)
2 tsp sesame oil
1 garlic clove, finely grated
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp honey
¼ tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1–2 tsp crispy chilli oil (Itsu or Lao Gan Ma)
1 spring onion, finely sliced
1 lime
1 tsp sesame seeds
Method
1. Prepare the cabbage
Trim the very bottom of the core, leaving enough intact to hold the leaves together. Cut the Chinese leaf lengthways into 4 wedges.
2. Make the glaze
In a small bowl, mix together:
Sesame oil
Grated garlic
Soy sauce
Honey
Salt
Black pepper
Brush or spoon the glaze over the cut sides of the cabbage wedges.
3. Pan-fry
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
Place the cabbage wedges cut-side down in the dry pan and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and slightly charred.
Turn the wedges and cook for another 3–4 minutes.
If the thick stems are still firm, add 2 tablespoons of water and cover with a lid for 2–3 minutes to gently steam.
4. Finish
Transfer the cabbage to a serving plate.
Spoon the crispy chilli oil over the hot cabbage.
Scatter over the spring onion and sesame seeds.
Finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Tips
Add the chilli oil after cooking so the crispy bits stay crunchy.
Don't worry if the cabbage looks quite charred in places—that's where the best flavour comes from.
Chinese leaf naturally becomes sweeter as it cooks, so only a small amount of honey is needed.
For extra protein and a balanced meal, serve alongside salmon, sea bass, chicken breast, or edamame.
WANT TO GROW YOUR OWN FRESH CHINESE CABBAGE?
There’s something incredibly satisfying about harvesting your own crisp, leafy Chinese cabbage straight from the garden. With its tender leaves, crunchy stems and mild, fresh flavour, homegrown Chinese cabbage is perfect for salads, stir-fries, soups and homemade slaws.
Quick to grow and wonderfully productive, Chinese cabbage is ideal for raised beds, vegetable patches or containers, making it a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Give it a sunny spot, keep the soil consistently moist and you'll be rewarded with healthy, flavour-packed harvests in just a few weeks.
Whether you're picking young baby leaves or allowing full heads to mature, it's a versatile crop that brings freshness and nutrition straight from your garden to your plate.
Ready to grow your own?
Get your Chinese cabbage seeds today and start your journey from Pot to Plate with Seed Folk.
Let's Grow Together.
Check out our step-by-step growing guide for Chinese cabbage.
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