Steamed Napa Cabbage 배추찜 (Simple Recipe)

On days when I want something warm but not heavy, I steam napa cabbage (배추찜).
Five minutes is enough to soften it while keeping its natural sweetness.

I chop red pepper, green chilli, and scallions, mix them into a simple soy-based sauce, and spoon it over the hot cabbage.
Nothing fancy, just clean flavours that feel calm and comforting.

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones you come back to the most.

Recently, this dish was featured on TV as a simple, low-calorie recipe, and many celebrities have been making it too. I decided to try it myself, and it turned out to be incredibly easy, delicious, and perfect both as a side dish or as something to enjoy with drinks.

If you want to make it a bit more special, some versions include beef or pork. I’ll introduce those recipes next time.

kimmie

Steamed Napa Cabbage (Simple Recipe)

Something warm but not heavy, I steam napa cabbage. Five minutes is enough to soften it while keeping its natural sweetness.

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Prep Time 7 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 14 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: korean

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• ½ napa cabbage

Sauce

• ¼ red pepper
• 1-2 green chilli
• ½ spring onion
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cooking wine mirin
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp chili oil
• 2 tbsp water
• A pinch of black pepper

Method

 

Cabbage

1. prepare ½ napa cabbage
   
2. Cut ½ head of napa cabbage in half
   
3. Steam in a steamer for 5–7 minutes
   
4. Cut into 4–5 pieces
   

Make the Sauce

1. Finely chopped red bell pepper.
   
2. Finely chopped green chili.
   
3. Finely chopped spring onion
   
4. Mix everything together:

   1 tbsp minced garlic

   1 tsp salt

   2 tbsp sugar

   2 tbsp soy sauce

   1 tbsp cooking wine (mirin)

   2 tbsp vinegar

   1 tbsp oyster sauce

   1 tbsp chili oil

   2 tbsp water

   A pinch of black pepper
   

Let's plating

1. Place cabbage on a plate and Spoon the sauce over the top
   
2. Done.
   
3. Enjoy!
   

Notes

Flavor Tips

✔️ Pour the sauce over the cabbage while it’s still hot — the aroma of the vegetables really comes alive.

✔️ Mix the sauce ahead of time — it tastes even better the next day (great even when chilled).

✔️ If the seasoning feels too strong, add 1 tbsp of water to adjust.

 

This method works perfectly as a side dish, drinking snack, or even for guests.

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