20 Korean Cabbage Recipes You’ll Love

Try out these Korean cabbage recipes for exciting and delicious dishes!

Korean food definitely doesn’t shy away from powerful flavors. And that’s what’s so great about it.

From pungent kimchi to fiery Korean coleslaw, there’s so many new ways to enjoy cabbage.

Trust me, there’s nothing intimidating about cooking authentic Korean cuisine. Seriously, it’s a lot less complicated than you might think. 

Plus, cabbage is absolutely packed with nutrients like antioxidants and fiber. So, what are you waiting for?

Dive into these healthy and super tasty Korean cabbage recipes! 

1.  Quick Korean Spicy Slaw

Swap out your everyday coleslaw for this fresh and flavorful Korean spicy slaw. 

The trick to this dish is the dressing made from gochujang, a Korean hot pepper paste. That’s what really gives those sliced veggies a spicy kick!

Not only does it taste good, but it looks wonderful, too. It’s not just the red cabbage and Napa cabbage.

The carrots, red bell pepper, and green onion also add an eye-catching brightness. This dish is just gorgeous.

2. Cabbage Pancake

Forget about sweet breakfast pancakes. These savory Korean cabbage pancakes will have you addicted. 

The thing that makes these pancakes so delicious is the batter.

Flavorful vegetable stock adds an extra depth of flavor to these crispy pancakes.

But you can use whatever stock you like, even anchovy-kelp stock!

Dip whole cabbage leaves in the yummy batter and pan fry until golden.

Then, cut your pancakes up into bite-sized pieces, dip them into your favorite sauce, and enjoy! 

3. Traditional Kimchi

Kimchi is definitely my kind of superfood. It’s so good for you and is chock-full of pungent, slightly sour flavors.

Essentially, kimchi is salted, seasoned, and fermented cabbage leaves.

But you can get all kinds of pickled vegetable varieties. And all of them are delicious!

When cabbage ferments, it makes natural probiotics which are great for your gut. You definitely need to whip up a batch.

4. Gilgeori Toast (Korean Street Toast)

Gilgeori toast, or Korean street toast, is a super popular grab-and-go street food in Korea.

One bite of this filling and tasty sandwich and you’ll see why!

There are loads of different varieties of street toast. This recipe is a version of halmeoni toast, or grandma toast.

It’s packed with fluffy scrambled eggs and thinly sliced cabbage. 

You might not be roaming the streets of South Korea, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the yummy food. 

5. Kimchi Chicken and Cabbage Stir-Fry

Stir-fries are great for busy bees. With this recipe, you can have a delicious meal served in under 20 minutes. 

This stir-fry uses a combo of both kimchi and fresh sliced cabbage.

This ensures the kimchi doesn’t overwhelm the dish. Instead, it adds a wonderful tart and tangy flavor.

Hot Tip: take this dish up a notch by adding a tablespoon of Korean chili sauce and a few teaspoons of fish sauce. Yum!

6. Dak Galbi (Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken)

Dak galbi is a restaurant favorite in Korea, but you can easily recreate it at home.

Packed with rice cakes, chicken, cabbage, and sweet potato, what’s not to love?

If you’re looking to add a little heat to your weeknight dinners, fry up this delicious dish.

The spicy dak galbi sauce is made using Korean curry powder, adding a tasty umami flavor.

At Korean restaurants, the tables are equipped with a gas stove and a large round grill pan.

But you can easily recreate this at home with a large skillet and a portable gas stove. 

7. Kimchi Chicken Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles

If you’re looking for a lighter lunch, try out this kimchi chicken stir-fry. This recipe swaps out heavy noodles for zucchini noodles.

So, you can enjoy a big bowl of tasty Korean flavors, without it feeling too heavy.

The juicy chicken pieces and tangy kimchi is a drool-worthy combo. And the whole bowl has less than five grams of net carbs! Pretty cool, huh?

If you’re more of a fan of beef, you can swap out the chicken. It tastes just as good. I promise. 

8. Korean Cabbage with Soybean Paste

The next time you’re looking to prepare a vegetarian side dish, turn to this tasty recipe.

Pair it with meat or fish dishes, or just simply over rice.

Don’t be spooked by the salty, pungent flavor of fermented soybean paste (doenjang). Once you’re used to the bold taste, you’ll crave it.

Korean spring green cabbage called bomdong is rubbed with a savory paste.

It’s made from soybean paste, chili flakes, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and minced garlic.

It’s all about massaging those flavors into every nook and cranny!

9. Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

In need of a quick-and-easy dinner?

Just because you’re on the go and need to whip up something quick doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a flavorful meal. 

This stir fry can be thrown together in just 15 minutes. Simply stir-fry tender beef, crispy green cabbage, and a sweet and spicy stir fry sauce.

If you have leftover veggies hanging about, this stir-fry is a great way to use them up. Toss in whatever you like and enjoy! 

10. Sweet and Tangy Cabbage Salad

Swap out your everyday salad with this exciting Korean cabbage and pink radish salad. It’s light, crunchy, and so delicious.

Now, the highlight of this fresh and crispy salad is the sweet and tangy roasted sesame seed dressing. It’s so, so good.

By thinly slicing the cabbage, you allow that yummy dressing to coat every corner.

And trust me, one taste of that dressing will have you hooked!

11. Korean-Style Sauteed Beef with Bean Sprouts and Cabbage

If you’re looking to serve up a tasty, savory dinner in under 20 minutes, this recipe is for you.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights or even as a meal prep for lunch the next day. 

You’ll love savoring the sweet and salty flavors of this ground beef and bean sprout dish.

Plus, sliced cabbage adds a nice bite for some added crunch. 

It’s so good, you’ll have clean plates all around. It’s guaranteed! 

12. Quick and Easy Spicy Korean Coleslaw

When I’m craving a fresh, crunchy coleslaw, I always whip up this recipe. Crushed red peppers add an addictive, fiery kick.

And it only takes 15 minutes to throw together. Even better, there’s no cooking involved.

It’s perfect for hot days when you don’t want to be stuck in front of a hot stove. I know I don’t. 

Crisp, fresh, spicy, and oh so crave-worthy. This colorful coleslaw will look stunning on your summer table. 

13. Baechu Doenjang Guk (Soybean Paste Soup with Napa Cabbage)

Nothing is as comforting as a savory, warm bowl of soup.

I hope you kept some of that soybean paste (doenjang), because you need to make this soup. It’s glorious. 

While doenjang has a strong and pungent flavor, it’s mellowed out with broth. This creates a lovely light and mild soup base.

The soup is packed with chopped Napa cabbage, which is boiled in that yummy broth. The result is a big bowl of nutritious goodness. Mmm!

14. Tteokbokki – Spicy Stir-Fried Rice Cakes

I’ve found your next obsession. These chewy rice cakes are smothered in a spicy and slightly sweet, sticky sauce. 

A popular comfort food in Korea, you’ll often find tteokbokki (tok-bo-kee) being served by local street vendors. But luckily, we can cook it up at home.

It literally translates to “stir-fried rice cake.” You can find the rice cakes used in this recipe at your local Asian supermarket or even online.

There’s no excuse to not make these spicy delights now!

15. Korean Pork Tacos

It’s time for some Korean fusion foods! The spicy, pungent, and savory flavors of Korean cuisine are what makes it a great parallel to Mexican cuisine.

And these Korean pork tacos prove it.

These tacos come together at lightning speed.

Snug inside a flour tortilla, a gochujang flavored, saucy pork filling is topped with a crisp red cabbage slaw. 

Need I say more? 

16. Baby Napa Cabbage Kimchi (Putbaechu)

This is sure to become your favorite side dish. I know it’s mine!

In Korean side dishes are referred to as banchan. It’s extremely popular to have a number of different side dishes at every meal.

And kimchi is nearly always one of them.

The small baby Napa cabbages are the perfect bite-sized delights. Yum!

17. Non-Spicy White Kimchi (Baek Kimchi)

If you’re not a fan of spice, this non-spicy white kimchi is a great side dish option.

It has a lovely mild and refreshing taste, great for kids and picky eaters.

Instead of chili flakes, napa cabbage is submerged in fruity, salty brine. Which is made from Korean pear and red apple.

It’s then stuffed with a tasty filling. This recipe uses a variety of chopped veggies and pine nuts. 

Because it’s so light and refreshing, this white kimchi works great with fried, grilled, and fatty cuts of meat. That sounds good to me!

18. Gamjatang (Spicy Pork Bone Stew)

Now, this dish is a savory sensation. Hearty, rich, and spicy, it’s all of the good things. 

Gamjatang is a spicy pork bone stew. The pork bones create a milky, deeply flavored stew base.

And the meat becomes so tender, it falls off the bone, so it’s absolutely mouth-watering. 

Important: be sure you soak the pork bones to remove excess blood. Then, briefly cook them in boiling water to remove impurities.

This ensures you have the best broth possible. 

19. Ssambap (Korean Rice Lettuce Wraps)

In Korean, Ssam means food wrapped in edible leaves or seaweed. They can be either fresh or lightly steamed. 

Kids will love this fun and interactive way to eat dinner. Plus, it’s a handy way for everyone to eat more greens!

One of the most basic ways to enjoy ssam is with steamed rice, cabbage leaves, and a yummy dipping sauce.

And you can add any other fillings you like. I recommend Korean BBQ beef!

20. Asian Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry

I can’t eat enough stir-fries. Especially when they’re packed full of savory ground beef and crisp cabbage. Luckily, this recipe has everything I love!

This recipe is a great way to throw a delicious meal together with minimal effort and time.

Plus, it’s a handy way to use up leftover veggies and cooked meat. 

Full of flavors, this stir fry is brimming with ground beef, cooked with garlic, ginger, and onion. Delish!