Irresistible Steamed Napa Cabbage
Chinese Style Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s Steamed Napa Cabbage. You Won’t Be Able to Resist Its Sweet Charm.
I absolutely love young napa cabbage (Albagi)! It’s delicious simply dipped in gochujang, perfect pan-fried into a savory pancake, and fantastic as a fresh kimchi salad. The unique, rich nutty flavor of Albagi is truly special. But when steamed, it transforms into a magical #CabbageDish that’s incredibly addictive. It’s the moment when the cabbage’s sweetness peaks, amplified by a savory, tangy, and sweet sauce that elevates the taste to its highest point! It’s so delicious, and astonishingly simple too! Hahaha, this #SteamedCabbage is truly captivating!!! I’m hooked!!!
Ingredients- 1 head Young Napa Cabbage (Albagi)
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper
- 1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1/2 Green Bell Pepper
- 2 sections White part of Leek (about 10cm each)
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper (Cheongyang)
Seasoning Sauce- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 6 Tbsp Vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Water (Korean paper cup)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 6 Tbsp Vinegar
- 0.5 Tbsp Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Water (Korean paper cup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables for the flavorful sauce and topping. Finely mince the red, yellow, and green bell peppers after removing the seeds. Thinly slice the white parts of the leeks into similar small pieces. If you like a bit of heat, finely mince one Korean green chili pepper (Cheongyang) after removing the seeds. (Tip: Two Cheongyang peppers can be too spicy; one is usually sufficient. This dish is delicious even without the chili pepper.)
Step 2
Wash the young napa cabbage thoroughly and cut it into quarters. It’s important not to cut off the root end at this stage, as it helps keep the cabbage intact while steaming, maintaining its beautiful shape. You can trim the root end cleanly when transferring it to the serving dish after steaming.
Step 3
Add water to your steamer and place the prepared cabbage quarters inside. Put the steamer on the stove and steam for 10 minutes. (Tip: The recipe specifies steaming for 10 minutes starting from when the water begins to boil, not from when you place the pot on the stove. Cooking time can be adjusted to your preference. Some recipes suggest 8 minutes. If you prefer your cabbage very soft, steam it longer; if you like it slightly crisp, reduce the steaming time. I personally enjoy it when it retains a slight crispness.)
Step 4
While the cabbage is steaming, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 6 tablespoons of vinegar, 0.5 tablespoon of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Add half a cup of water (using a Korean paper cup) and stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Your delicious sauce base is now ready!
Step 5
Add the minced vegetables (bell peppers, leeks, and chili pepper) that you prepared earlier into the seasoning sauce. Mix everything together thoroughly. The fresh flavors and aromas of the vegetables will infuse into the sauce, creating a richer taste.
Step 6
In the meantime, the steamed cabbage is ready! Look how wonderfully tender and inviting it is. Steamed cabbage on its own is already quite delicious!
Step 7
Arrange the steamed young napa cabbage quarters on a serving plate. Now, you can neatly trim the root ends you left intact. This helps the cabbage pieces stand beautifully without falling apart. Finally, generously pour the prepared vegetable-infused sauce over the cabbage to complete this delightful dish! (Tip: For the photo, I didn’t pour all the sauce, but it’s much tastier when the cabbage is thoroughly coated and soaked.)
Step 8
When you generously pour the sauce over the steamed cabbage, it looks incredibly appetizing, almost as if the cabbage is swimming in a flavorful bath! Take a bite, wrapping a piece of tender steamed cabbage with the crisp bell peppers and the aromatic sauce. It’s absolutely heavenly! This dish is perfect as a satisfying side for rice or an excellent accompaniment to drinks like beer or makgeolli. The subtle sweetness of the cabbage combined with the savory and tangy sauce creates a truly addictive and memorable culinary experience that will have you craving more.
