Japanese Cabbage Side Dish (Yamitsuki Cabbage)
Recreate your favourite Izakaya cabbage recipe! Our addictive Japanese cabbage side dish (Yamitsuki Cabbage) is super easy and requires no cooking. The nutty sesame aroma, together with salted cabbage, creates the perfect side dish for your next meal.
Why You’ll Love Our Japanese Cabbage Side Dish
How can a simple side dish be so irresistible? And the star of the show is cabbage? Yes, you read right – CABBAGE.
Well, this Japanese cabbage side dish is a light, aromatic, and flavourful addition to any meal, and it’s incredibly addictive! Known as Yamitsuki Cabbage, or salted cabbage, this recipe draws inspiration from the classic Japanese side dishes served at Japanese izakayas.
Trust us—once you start, you won’t be able to stop!
What is Yamitsuki?
Yamitsuki cabbage is a simple yet delicious dish that involves seasoning bite-sized cabbage pieces. The term “Yamitsuki” translates to “addictive” in English, meaning it’s so good you just can’t stop eating it!
Our version of the Japanese cabbage salad with sesame dressing uses only five ingredients to create a crunchy, umami-packed side dish. No cooking required—just a quick mix and a bit of chill time in the fridge. It’s the perfect pairing for any main dish, especially alongside a cold beer!
If you’re a fan of simple vegetable side dishes, be sure to try our celeri remoulade, spicy Korean bellflower root side dish, little gem salad with tahini ranch and smashed cucumber salad. They’re all easy to whip up and packed with flavour!
Recipe Overview
Flavour/Texture: Crisp, crunchy cabbage infused with the nutty aroma of sesame oil, a hint of garlic, and a perfectly balanced salty finish.
Ease: This is a super easy, no-cook recipe that requires minimal ingredients and preparation.
Time: Takes just 10 minutes to prepare, plus an extra 10 minutes in the fridge if you have time to let the flavours meld together.
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you need for Japanese cabbage side dish:
White cabbage: This humble vegetable is the star! You’ll need about ¼ of a cabbage. Use the rest to make Japanese pickles or serve with creamy sesame dressing.
Salt: Enhances the flavours, draws out any excess moisture and creates the addictive “yamitsuki” quality.
Garlic: The subtle aroma of crushed garlic enhances the sweetness of cabbage without overpowering the other flavours.
Sesame oil: Adds a deep, nutty richness that complements the cabbage.
Toasted sesame seeds: For extra texture and nutty flavour.
Variations and Substitutions
Additional flavourings: These are optional seasonings that you can add to elevate the flavour. Add according to taste – chicken or mushroom bullion stock, dashi powder, furikake, soy sauce or vinegar.
Spice it up: Add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes or a touch of chilli oil for some heat.
Try different cabbage: Napa or savoy cabbage can be used for slightly different textures but equally delicious results.
Instructions
Step by step instructions for how to make Japanese cabbage side dish:
Wash the cabbage thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Place the chopped cabbage into a large zip-lock bag or bowl. Add the salt, sesame oil, and crushed garlic to the cabbage.
Massage or toss the cabbage until it’s evenly coated with sesame oil and the salt and garlic are well-distributed.
Let the cabbage rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld and makes the cabbage even more delicious.
Distribute into smaller bowls. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the cabbage and serve.
How to Make This Side Dish Perfectly [Expert Tips]
Chill for best flavour: Refrigerating the yamitsuki cabbage for at least 10 minutes allows the sesame oil and garlic to fully absorb, creating a more punchy dish.
Mix thoroughly: Be sure to coat every piece of cabbage evenly to ensure the best taste in every bite. You don’t want chunks of garlic stuck to the cabbage.
Great Mains for This Salad
What to serve with Japanese cabbage side dish, try these delicious main dish recipes.
A simply flavoured chopped cabbage side is an excellent subtle accompaniment to big flavoured dished. This is no exception to this pork belly ramen recipe.
For more umami flavoured meals such as miso glazed salmon or this super scrumptious mentaiko pasta sauce, these recipes might just be perfect for you.
This umami cabbage salad pairs perfectly with many dishes. Serve it alongside Japanese spinach salad, miso eggplant, or poke rice bowls for added texture and flavour. It’s also a popular side in Japanese izakaya dishes, making it a great appetiser or snack on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no need to cook the cabbage first. By salting the cabbage and marinating in sesame oil adds flavour and helps tenderise the cabbage but still retaining the crunch.
Yes! This dish can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it’s best enjoyed within the first day for maximum crunch.
It’s no surprise this cabbage side dish is called “yamitsuki” in Japanese—it truly is addictive! The combination of sesame oil and garlic creates the perfect flavour pairing for crunchy cabbage. Add this irresistible side to your next meal for a tasty and refreshing boost.
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Japanese Cabbage Side Dish (Yamitsuki Cabbage)
Ingredients
- ¼ cabbage
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.
Instructions
- Wash and chop cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Place into a large zip lock bag or bowl.
- Add salt, sesame oil and crushed garlic to chopped cabbage.
- Mix together so that all the cabbage is coated evenly with sesame oil, salt, and garlic.
- Leave in refrigerator for 10 minutes to let the flavours sink in.
- Add sesame seeds and mix together.
- Place in small dishes to serve.
Notes
- Substitute regular white cabbage with napa cabbage or savoy cabbage.
- Additional flavours you can add include chicken or mushroom bullion stock, dashi powder, furikake, soy sauce or vinegar.
- Add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes or a touch of chilli oil for some heat.
- Refrigerating the yamitsuki cabbage for at least 10 minutes allows flavour to meld.
Nutrition
*Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.
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Another great side dish! And, I love that it’s vegan. Can’t wait to make again.
Glad you enjoyed our vegan recipe!
Japanese cabbage side dish is delicious. I have tried so yummy.
Thank you!
What an easy side dish to make. Luckily, I have all the ingredients and I’m going to make this today. So excited.
Let us know how you go!
This Japanese cabbage side dish is so simple and refreshing! The sesame and garlic combo makes it so addictive—perfect for pairing with almost any meal.
Amazing! Thank you!
Who knew cabbage could be so delicious and easy to make! I think this is my new favourite winter side dish. So crunchy and more-ish!
Right???? so good!
Okay, this cabbage recipe looks ridiculously good and so easy to make. I will try it this weekend. I don’t have many cabbage recipes up my sleeve but this one I can definitely make for my kids. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Let us know how you go!
Such a simple dish but packed full of flavour!
We are looking to bring more variety of cuisines to our kids menus and they loved this, so it is a winner all around!
Very happy to hear! the more vegetables the kids will eat the better.