Crispy Yangbaechu Bokkeum (Stir Fried Cabbage)
A crunchy stir-fried cabbage side dish cooked quickly over high heat with ham and onion.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This is a simple side dish made by quickly stir-frying leftover cabbage with ham, onion, and seasonings. If you cook cabbage too long, moisture releases and the texture turns mushy, so stir-frying it swiftly is key. The savory depth of oyster sauce paired with a hint of spice makes it wonderful as a rice side dish or a light drinking snack.
- Servings
- about 2–3 servingsOriginal: 2 plates
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spiciness
- Mildly spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Cabbage2 handfuls, 150 g
- Ham or sausage100 g
- Onion1/4
Seasoning
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)1/2 tbsp
- Minced garlic1 tbsp
- Oyster sauce (or regular soy sauce (jin-ganjang))1/2 tbsp
- Corn syrup (mulyeot)1/2 tbsp
- Mirin (cooking rice wine)1 tbsp
- Toasted sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Instead of ham or sausage, you can also use fish cake bars or imitation crab stick.
- Once the seasoning coats the ingredients, taste and adjust with salt; if the oyster sauce alone provides enough flavor, you do not need to add salt.
Steps
1. Shred the cabbage to prepare about two handfuls, and slice the onion.
I shredded a fish cake bar, but you can also use ham, sausage, or imitation crab stick.
2. Except for the minced garlic cooked in the pan, toasted sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds, combine all the remaining seasoning ingredients.
3. Heat oil in a heated pan, add the garlic, and sauté briefly to release its fragrance...
4. Add the ham and onion, and stir-fry briskly.
You only need to stir-fry until the onion softens slightly.
5. Add the cabbage and toss a few times...
Cabbage wilts the moment it hits the heat, so be careful not to stir-fry it too long.
6. Add the prepared seasoning and mix together.
7. Once the seasoning is evenly distributed and coats the ingredients, taste and adjust with salt.
I felt the oyster sauce alone was enough, so I did not add any salt.
8. Turn off the heat and finish with toasted sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds.
If you stir-fry the cabbage for too long, it loses its crunch and looks unappealing,
so the moment the cabbage hits the pan, you need to move your hands quickly.
Ppunwife's tips
- If you stir-fry the cabbage for too long, it loses its crunch and looks unappealing, so the moment the cabbage hits the pan, you need to move your hands quickly.
FAQ
Can I use other ingredients instead of ham or sausage?
You can shred a fish cake bar or substitute sausage, ham, or imitation crab stick according to your preference.
How do I preserve the crunchy texture when stir-frying cabbage?
Cabbage wilts quickly once it meets the heat, so stir-fry it swiftly after adding it to the pan rather than cooking it for a long time to keep it crisp.
If I do not have oyster sauce, what can I substitute?
You can season the dish by using an equal amount of regular soy sauce (jin-ganjang) instead of oyster sauce.
What should I add if the seasoning is too mild?
Taste after mixing in the sauce, and if it lacks seasoning, adjust by adding a little salt.
