Name: Chinese Napa Cabbage Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic, minced; 4 cups vegetable stock; 3 large leaves napa cabbage, sliced into 2-inch pieces (about 0.5 lb / 250 g); 1 medium carrot, sliced; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for sautéing)

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Introduction

This Chinese Napa Cabbage Soup is a light and comforting dish that highlights fresh vegetables and savory flavors. It’s a simple, nourishing soup perfect for any day when you want something warm yet healthy.

The image shows two white bowls filled with clear golden broth soup placed on a white marbled surface. Each bowl contains visible layers of thin orange carrot slices, translucent green cabbage leaves, and small dark seeds with chopped green herbs scattered on top. One bowl has a white ceramic spoon resting inside, filled with the broth and a few herb pieces. A larger white bowl filled with more soup and floating cabbage and carrot pieces sits in the background with a metal spoon inside. A white cloth with grid lines lies partially beside the bowls. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic (minced)
4 cups vegetable stock
3 large leaves napa cabbage (sliced into 2-inch pieces, about 0.5 lb / 250g)
1 medium carrot (sliced)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon shaoxing wine
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

Step 1: Heat about a tablespoon of neutral oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the napa cabbage, sliced carrot, and vegetable stock to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
Step 3: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the soy sauce, shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding more soy sauce if desired. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra depth, add a few slices of fresh ginger when sautéing the garlic.
Substitute vegetable stock with chicken stock for a richer flavor.
Add tofu cubes or cooked shredded chicken for added protein.
Garnish with chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra texture.

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave until warmed through. Avoid boiling again to keep the cabbage tender.

How to Serve

A clear broth soup is shown in one large white bowl and two smaller white bowls on a white marbled surface. The soup has layers of thinly sliced orange carrots, translucent cabbage pieces, and green chopped herbs floating in the light brown broth. One small bowl holds a white ceramic spoon resting on top, with yellow broth and green garnish inside the spoon. The soup looks fresh and sprinkled with small black seeds and green herbs. A woman's hand holds a silver ladle scooping some soup from the large bowl. A white cloth with thin black lines is partly visible on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cabbage?

Yes, you can substitute napa cabbage with savoy or green cabbage, but adjust cooking time as these varieties may be firmer and take longer to soften.

Is this soup suitable for vegans?

Absolutely. Just ensure the vegetable stock and soy sauce you use have no animal-derived ingredients to keep the soup fully vegan.