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authentic korean cabbage side dish baechu namul in white ceramic bowl with sesame seeds and green onion garnish

Doenjang Baechu Namul (Korean Cabbage Side Dish)

Blonde Kimchi
Prep 2 minutes
Cook 8 minutes
Total 10 minutes
A classic Korean banchan made with blanched napa cabbage and savory doenjang sauce. Ready in 15 minutes, naturally vegan, and deeply satisfying. This is how Koreans actually eat cabbage at home.
Servings 2 servings
Calories 118

Ingredients

Cabbage
  • 3 leaves Napa cabbage
  • 1 L Water
  • 1 tsp Salt for blanching
  • 1/2 tbsp Green onion finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Korean sesame seeds
Doenjang Sauce
  • 1.5 tsp Doenjang Korean fermented soybean paste
  • 1/2 tsp Minced garlic
  • 1 tsp Maesil-cheong Korean plum syrup. Substitute maesil-cheong with 1 tsp honey or ½ tsp sugar if needed.
  • 1 tbsp Korean sesame oil

Equipment

Method

  1. Cut napa cabbage into 2cm pieces.
    napa cabbage cut into 2cm pieces on wooden cutting board for korean cabbage side dish
  2. Blanch in salted boiling water for 3 minutes until soft and pliable.
    napa cabbage blanching in salted boiling water in a silver pot for baechu namul korean side dish
  3. Rinse in cold water and squeeze out all moisture firmly with both hands.
    squeezing blanched napa cabbage with both hands to remove water for korean cabbage banchan recipe
  4. Chop green onion and mince the garlic.
  5. Mix doenjang, minced garlic, maesil-cheong, and sesame oil to make the sauce.
    doenjang sauce mixed in a small ceramic bowl with garlic sesame oil and plum syrup for baechu namul
  6. Add sauce to cabbage a little at a time, tasting and adjusting as you go.
    adding doenjang sauce to blanched cabbage by hand in a mixing bowl for authentic korean cabbage side dish
  7. Add chopped green onion and sesame seeds. Toss gently. Serve.
    korean cabbage banchan baechu namul close up showing glossy doenjang sauce coating on tender napa cabbage

Nutrition

Calories 118kcal | Carbohydrates 8g | Protein 2g | Fat 9g | Saturated Fat 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat 4g | Monounsaturated Fat 4g | Sodium 1383mg | Potassium 136mg | Fiber 1g | Sugar 5g | Vitamin A 153IU | Vitamin C 12mg | Calcium 93mg | Iron 1mg

Notes

  • Doenjang varies in saltiness by brands, always taste before adding more.
  • Stores in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Substitute maesil-cheong with 1 tsp honey or ½ tsp sugar if needed.
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