Addictive Infinite Cabbage
A side-dish recipe that vanishes half a head of cabbage in minutes. The crunch of Korean seaweed and Baby Star ramen makes it impossible to stop — 15 minutes, forbidden levels of addictive.
There are plenty of “once you start, you can’t stop” side dishes out there, but this one is in my personal hall of fame. Fifteen minutes of work, cabbage plus a handful of seasonings, Korean seaweed, and Baby Star ramen. On days I make this, a half-head of cabbage I put out as “just a side” regularly vanishes at the pace of a main course.
Recipe Info
Forbidden one-head-of-cabbage side
- Cook time: 15 min
- Difficulty: Easy (just chop and toss)
- Serves: 2
Ingredients (serves 2)
- Cabbage: 1/2 head
- Chicken stock powder: 2 tsp
- Vinegar: 2 tsp
- Soy sauce: 2 tsp
- Garlic paste (tube): 4 cm
- Sesame oil: 2 tbsp
- White sesame seeds: to taste
- Korean seaweed: 6 sheets
- Baby Star ramen (noodle-only pack): 1
Directions
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Shred the cabbage. A slicer gives even thickness and dramatically improves the finished texture, but a knife works fine too.
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Quiet but important — drain thoroughly after shredding. Wet cabbage dilutes the sauce and dulls the flavor. A centrifugal salad spinner nails it; otherwise, press a few times with paper towels.
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Mix the sauce: combine chicken stock, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic paste, sesame oil, and sesame seeds in a bowl.
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Cut the Korean seaweed into fine strips with kitchen scissors (this snipping is oddly satisfying).
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Right before serving, toss the cabbage with the sauce. Once it starts to wilt, add the Baby Star, then scatter the Korean seaweed last to finish.
Adding the Baby Star and Korean seaweed right before eating is the rule. Let them sit mixed in and both turn limp — the crisp texture dies. This is a dish made to be eaten right away, not a meal-prep candidate.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 280.0 kcal
- Protein: 8.0 g
- Fat: 20.0 g
- Carbs: 17.0 g
- Fiber: 4.0 g
- Salt: 2.5 g
Nutrition Notes
You get solid fiber and vitamin C from the cabbage, but sesame oil and Baby Star push the fat content higher. Great as a side or appetizer, but “healthy, so eat lots” racks up calories faster than expected. Keep that in mind and enjoy it as a go-big side on indulgence days.