Spectacular Autumn Napa Cabbage Kimchi (Geotjeori): A Simple Recipe Bursting with Seasonal Flavor
Embrace the Sweetness and Nutty Flavor of Autumn Cabbage! The Easiest Way to Make Delicious Geotjeori
Autumn Napa cabbage is exceptionally sweet and nutty, making this the prime season to enjoy its best Geotjeori. Looking at this fresh kimchi, I’m reminded of a hearty bowl of Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup). This recipe makes it incredibly simple to create delicious Geotjeori at home. Don’t miss out on the true taste of fresh autumn cabbage!
Geotjeori Ingredients- 1 head Napa cabbage (approx. 550g)
- 1 piece of radish (approx. 1/4 of a medium radish)
- 10 stalks of green onions
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting cabbage)
Geotjeori Seasoning- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Yukjeot (fermented shrimp sauce) or anchovy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Kkanari fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp plum syrup (maesilcheong)
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (gukganjang)
- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Yukjeot (fermented shrimp sauce) or anchovy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Kkanari fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp plum syrup (maesilcheong)
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp minced ginger)
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (gukganjang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For an autumn cabbage that isn’t fully headed, remove the outer leaves and prepare the inner leaves. These will have more green parts, giving a fresh appearance.
Step 2
Cut the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, dissolve 1 Tbsp of coarse sea salt in 1 cup of water. Add the cut cabbage and let it salt for about 1 hour. If you plan to keep the Geotjeori for a few days, salting it lightly like this will preserve its crisp texture.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning! In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Yukjeot (or fish sauce), 1 Tbsp Kkanari fish sauce, 2 Tbsp plum syrup, a pinch of ginger powder, and 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce. Mix well to create the seasoning paste.
Step 4
Add the thinly julienned radish to the prepared seasoning and mix gently first. This allows the radish to absorb the flavors.
Step 5
Lightly rinse the salted cabbage under cold water, drain thoroughly, and add it to the bowl with the seasoning. At this stage, also add the thinly sliced onion and chopped green onions. It’s crucial to mix the Geotjeori gently to avoid bruising the ingredients. Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more soup soy sauce or fish sauce to your preference.
Step 6
Finish by sprinkling a generous amount of black sesame seeds or regular sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor. Enjoy it with warm rice or Kalguksu!
