Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Course
  • Sides
  • Vegetable Sides

This braised vegetable side course is great for pooling atop plain rice, lending subtle flavor to the entire bowl.

By

Cathy Erway

Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (1)

Cathy Erway

Cathy Erway is an award-winning food writer, author, blogger, and podcast host based in Brooklyn. She contributes to The Huffington Post, The New York Times, TASTE Cooking, Eater, Saveur, Serious Eats, and Food & Wine, among other publications.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated August 29, 2018

Trending Videos

Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Convenient, flavorful pantry ingredients add an extra dimension to this simple vegetable side.
  • Using the shiitake soaking liquid to cook the cabbage infuses the dish with more flavor and provides a soupier consistency that's perfect for serving over rice.

You've gotta eat your greens, but that doesn't mean they have to be a boring one-dimensional counterpart to a more flavorful, hearty course. In Taiwan, for instance, simple braised cabbage gets a boost from small tidbits of dried shrimp, fresh chiles, and garlic, with a generous sprinkle of shiitakes to round things out. It's a common way of preparing the winter vegetable, and few family-style meals would be complete without it.

Those flavorful add-ins are among the most readily available in the Taiwanese pantry. The subtropical island enjoys sweet, red, and mildly hot small chiles year-round; baby shrimp are dried and stored for convenience as well as pungency. Shiitake mushrooms can be obtained fresh but are often preferred dried and reconstituted—their tasty soaking liquid makes an excellent broth for braised dishes like this one.

Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (3)

There are many types of cabbages that could be used in this braise. The typical Taiwanese cabbage has a rather flattened, round shape, with leaves that are less densely packed than your common green cabbage. That said, you can easily swap in green cabbage or, on the other end of the spectrum, the much softer, more watery napa cabbage instead. Savoy cabbage, with its ruffly, fluffy leaves and sweet taste, would be an excellent substitute, too. Should you spot a squashed-looking head of otherwise luminous, pale-green cabbage in an Asian market, though, that's the stuff.

Soupier than the average sauté, this vegetable side course is great for pooling atop plain rice, lending subtle flavor to the entire bowl. Any time of year is a good time to eat plenty of cabbage. But with winter options thinned out to a few fresh greens, here's one way to really spruce things up.

Recipe Details

Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe

Serves4to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5dried shiitake mushrooms

  • 2 tablespoons dried baby shrimp

  • 1 head Taiwanese cabbage (or substitute with green or Savoy cabbage), about 2 pounds (see notes)

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable, peanut, or canola oil

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 2 small, fresh red chiles, such as Thai chiles, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in 2 cups water until all mushrooms are soft throughout, about 20 minutes. Reserve soaking liquid (strain out any crumbs or solids at the bottom if necessary). Squeeze out mushrooms and remove stems. Slice caps thinly and set aside.

  2. Soak dried baby shrimp in just enough water to cover until slightly soft and moist, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

  3. Slice cabbage head in halves, then quarters. Cut out tough stem portions and discard. Coarsely shred remaining leaves.

  4. Heat oil in a large pan or wok with a lid over medium-high heat. Add garlic, chiles, dried shrimp, and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Stir until very fragrant, about 1 minute.

    Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (4)

  5. Add cabbage to pan along with white pepper and a pinch of salt. Toss occasionally, until its volume has decreased slightly and oil and other ingredients are incorporated throughout, 1 to 2 minutes.

  6. Pour in reserved soaking liquid from mushrooms and stir. Cover pan, reduce heat slightly, and cook at a steady simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Check on the dish; once leaves are fully wilted and translucent, remove lid. Taste and season with salt as desired. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

Look for Taiwanese cabbage, with its broad, flattened heads and softer, sweet leaves, in Asian produce markets.

  • Chinese
  • Shrimp
  • Cabbage
  • Shiitake Mushroom
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
87Calories
5g Fat
10g Carbs
3g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories87
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g6%
Saturated Fat 0g2%
Cholesterol 4mg1%
Sodium 134mg6%
Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 58mg291%
Calcium 81mg6%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 355mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Taiwanese Braised Cabbage With Dried Shrimp, Chiles, and Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does Taiwanese cabbage taste different? ›

The Taiwanese cabbage has a large flat head. This variety was developed in Taiwan and once you cut the four side of the head, the leaves are easily peeled one by one. This cabbage has a sweeter and tender taste than the original green cabbage and is used mostly for Oriental meals such as stir-fries, stews and more.

How long do dried shiitake mushrooms take to cook? ›

Thin slices may need around 8-10 minutes of sautéing, while whole caps could require 20-30 minutes in soups or stews. Checking for Doneness: Shiitake mushrooms are cooked when they turn slightly translucent and feel spongy and juicy.

Can you eat Taiwanese cabbage raw? ›

Taiwanese cabbage can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be eaten raw in salads, cooked briefly in stir-fries, add to Jiaozi dumplings, or added to soups and stews to retain its signature crunchiness and sweet flavor.

Is Taiwan cabbage the same as Chinese cabbage? ›

Taiwanese cabbage 高麗菜 (ko-lê-chhài in Taiwanese, or gāolí cài in Mandarin, Chinese) is a delicious, and often under-used, variety of cabbage. It's known as “flat cabbage” since it has a flat and oblong shape and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Chinese cabbage.

What is the famous Taiwan cabbage? ›

The Jadeite Cabbage, which is almost identical to a real cabbage, is considered to be one of the most famous jade carvings in the world. It is also referred to as the most famous masterpiece in the National Palace Museum's collection.

Do you have to soak shiitake mushrooms before cooking? ›

But shiitake mushrooms retain their flavor best with a long soak in cold water. 20–30 min in room temperature is enough but an hour in a fridge is better. Dry shiitake mushrooms expect to be clean so you only need to rinse it before soaking and use water you soak shiitake mushrooms in for cooking.

Do you need to wash dried shiitake mushrooms? ›

Please wash dried Shiitake with water and brush off any dust remaining on the Shiitake. Please pour cold water into a container deep enough to submerge the Shiitake completely. Cover with food wrap to touch the water's surface and prevent the Shiitake from floating above the water.

Do dried mushrooms need to be soaked before cooking? ›

To cook with dried mushrooms, you first have to rehydrate them by soaking them in boiling water and waiting until they come to room temperature. If you're not in a rush, try soaking them in room temperature water for several hours until soft. The slow soak keeps more of the flavour in each mushroom.

Do dried shiitake mushrooms go bad? ›

Dried mushrooms last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. How can you tell when they're no longer at their peak? "If you smell them and they just don't smell like anything," she says. "They're never going to 'poison.

What happens if you don't cook shiitake mushrooms? ›

Traditionally eaten cooked, consumption of raw shiitake has been growing over the last few years. However, eating these mushrooms raw or undercooked can cause a highly specific skin reaction: toxic flagellate dermatitis. It covers the entire body and face, and causes severe itching that can last for up to three weeks.

How do you make dried shiitake mushrooms tender? ›

Rehydrate the mushrooms by covering them in boiling water. I always put a bowl on top to help push to mushrooms down and keep them submerged. Soak them for around 40 minutes until they are nice and tender. Drain the mushrooms.

How long does Taiwanese cabbage last in fridge? ›

Conserve the cabbage in a plastic bag in the vegetable compartment of your fridge; it will keep its vitamin C content for about a week. The cabbage does not freeze well as it becomes limp, soft, and oxidises.

Why is Chinese cabbage bitter? ›

One common reason is that the cabbage may have been overcooked. Overcooking cabbage releases sulfur compounds that can give it a bitter taste. Another possible reason is that the cabbage was not fresh. Old or spoiled cabbage can also taste bitter.

What does Taiwanese cabbage taste like? ›

Description/Taste

Taiwanese Flat cabbage is crunchy, tender, and juicy, and is sweet with mild grass-like undertones.

What does Taiwan cabbage taste like? ›

Taiwanese cabbage is often referred to as flat cabbage for its shape. It has a crispy texture, and is sweeter than the common cabbage, with mild grass-like undertones.

Does Chinese cabbage taste different than regular cabbage? ›

Napa cabbage is a variety of Chinese cabbage, and according to Taste of Home, it's a relative of bok choy. It has a more tender bite than green cabbage, with a slightly sweeter flavor when raw.

What is the difference between Chinese cabbage and regular cabbage? ›

In terms of taste, Napa cabbage tends to be milder and sweeter, while green cabbage has a stronger, more peppery flavor. Additionally, Napa cabbage is commonly used in Asian cuisine, while green cabbage is more prevalent in Western dishes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 5462

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.