This fermented cabbage kimchi is a bold, tangy, and spicy traditional dish made with napa cabbage, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, delivering deep flavor through a simple fermentation process.
Fermentation Time (hours): 1 hourhour12 minutesminutes
Total Time: 1 hourhour32 minutesminutes
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 45kcal
Author: Abby Pinkmann
Cost: $3
Equipment
large bowl
knife
Cutting Board
glass jar with lid
Ingredients
1largenapa cabbage
1/4cupsalt
4clovesgarlic, minced
1tbspfresh ginger, grated
3tbspKorean chili flakes (gochugaru)
3green onions, chopped
2tbspfish sauce or soy sauce
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Instructions
Cut napa cabbage into quarters, rinse, and sprinkle salt between the leaves. Let sit for 1–2 hours until softened.
Rinse cabbage thoroughly to remove excess salt and let drain completely.
In a bowl, mix garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and fish sauce or soy sauce to form a paste.
Rub the seasoning paste evenly into the cabbage, coating all leaves thoroughly.
Add chopped green onions and mix gently.
Pack cabbage tightly into a clean jar, pressing down to remove air pockets.
Leave at room temperature for 1–3 days to ferment, then transfer to the refrigerator.
Notes
Use clean jars to avoid contamination. Press cabbage below liquid to prevent air exposure. Taste daily during fermentation to reach your preferred flavor. Store in the refrigerator once fermented and use within several weeks.