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Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi

This traditional napa cabbage kimchi is a staple of Korean cuisine, offering a complex balance of spicy, sour, and savoury flavours. By fermenting crisp cabbage with aromatic garlic, ginger, and Korean chilli powder, you create a vibrant condiment that enhances almost any meal. This dairy-free recipe uses classic techniques to ensure a deep, authentic funk that develops beautifully over just a few days of fermentation.

As a healthy, probiotic-rich addition to your fridge, this homemade kimchi is perfect for serving alongside steamed rice, folded into stews, or even topping a grilled cheese sandwich for a modern twist. The inclusion of Asian radish and spring onions provides a wonderful crunch and freshness. Making your own batch is a rewarding way to explore traditional preserving methods while enjoying a boost of gut-friendly nutrients.

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Ingredients for Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi

  • 150g plus 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt

  • Water

  • 2 heads Napa cabbage, cut into quarters or 2-inch wedges, depending on size of cabbage

  • 1 bulb garlic, cloves separated and peeled

  • 1 (2-inch) piece of ginger root

  • 60ml fish sauce or Korean salted prawns

  • 1 Asian radish, peeled and grated

  • 1 bunch of spring onions, cut into 1-inch lengths

  • 100g Korean chilli powder

  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

  • Sesame oil (optional)

  • Sesame seeds (optional)

How to make Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi

  1. Dissolve 1 cup salt in 1.9L water. Soak cabbage in the salt water for 3 to 4 hours.

  2. Combine garlic, ginger, and fish sauce or prawns in food processor or blender until finely minced.

  3. In large bowl, combine radish, spring onions, mustard greens, garlic mixture, chilli powder, 1 tablespoon salt and optional sugar. Toss gently but thoroughly. (If mixing with your hands, be sure to wear rubber gloves to avoid chilli burn.)

  4. Remove cabbage from water and rinse thoroughly. Drain cabbage in colander, squeezing as much water from the leaves as possible. Take cabbage and stuff radish mixture between leaves, working from outside in, starting with largest leaf to smallest. Do not overstuff, but make sure radish mixture adequately fills leaves. When entire cabbage is stuffed, take one of the larger leaves and wrap tightly around the rest of the cabbage. Divide cabbage among 4 (1-quart) jars or 1-gallon jar, pressing down firmly to remove any air bubbles.

  5. Let sit for 2 to 3 days in a cool place before serving. Remove kimchi from jar and slice into 1-inch-length pieces. If serving before kimchi is fermented, sprinkle with a little bit of sesame oil and sesame seeds. Refrigerate after opening.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Historique de l'article

Les informations contenues dans cette page ont été évaluées par des cliniciens qualifiés.

  • 17 janvier 2026 | Publié à l'origine

    Auteur: :

    UK recipe editors

    Examiné par des pairs

    UK recipe editors
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