17 Best Napa Cabbage Substitute In Soup Or Kimchi

Napa cabbage is soft and crisp, with a sweet, mild flavor. It may be served raw or cooked, and it absorbs moisture, making any meal more appealing.

Napa cabbage is often used in Chinese and Asian foods such as stir fry, dumplings, and soup. Napa cabbage is also a key element in the preparation of Korean kimchi. It is a good source of dietary fiber. If it is not available, you may simply replace other leafy greens.

1. Bok Choy
2. Green Cabbage
3. Pointed Cabbage
4. Savoy Cabbage
5. Romaine Lettuce
6. Onion
7. Pea Sprout
8. Bean Sprout
9. Kale

If you want to learn more about this popular vegetable and its health advantages, keep reading.

17 Best Substitute For Napa Cabbage 

According to 2020 figures, China is the world’s biggest producer of fresh vegetables, generating 594 metric tons in volume. It is hardly unexpected that Chinese cabbage is popular in the United States. The veggie is also known as Napa cabbage.

Napai is a Japanese vernacular word for any edible vegetable leaf. But what exactly is Napa cabbage?

Napa cabbage is an oblong-shaped vegetable with light green to yellow-green leaves that are compact, crinkly, and heavily veined, and white stems. It is often offered with bok choy.

Napa cabbage has little calories. The vegetable has just 16 calories per 100 g. It includes antioxidants such as carotene, thiocyanates, lutein, and others. It is also high in vitamin C and folates, as well as a modest quantity of vitamin K, riboflavin, thiamin, and other important vitamins and minerals.

Several research indicate Napa cabbage provides cancer prevention, lowers LDL cholesterol levels, and may help prevent neurological disease in babies. Vitamin C has been shown to help enhance the immune system.

Nothing could be a better alternative for Napa cabbage than its near sibling.

Bok Choy

Bok choy is a member of the same genus as Napa cabbage Brassica Rapa, however there are two subspecies.

The bulbous core stem of bok choy is surrounded by extended green stalks. The leaves are dark green and either flat or ruffled. The stems are sturdy and bright green or white in hue. It has a fresh, nutty, green taste and a crisp texture. Once cooked, the nuttiness intensifies.

Bok choy is often prepared by roasting, braising, or stir-frying. It may also be eaten uncooked and is often used in Chinese and Asian cuisine.

Bok choy has little calories. A 100-gram portion contains 1.5 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of soluble fiber, and nearly little fat. It is high in vitamins C, A, and K, as well as beta-carotene.

2 Best Napa Cabbage Substitute For Kimchi

Kimchi is a popular side dish in Korean cooking. Although Napa cabbage is the main component, other comparable green leafy vegetables may work just as well.

Green Cabbage

Green cabbage is a vegetable that is widely available. It is the most prevalent cabbage cultivar globally.

Its spherical head earned it the moniker cannonball. Green cabbage is compact, crisp, waxy, and light green in appearance. Because the center of the cabbage head is difficult to consume, it is usually removed during preparation.

Green cabbage may be consumed fresh, boiled, braised, pickled, fermented, or fermented. It has a mild, vegetal, peppery taste that, after cooked, may be toned down. Its wide, robust leaves make it a great kimchi replacement for Napa cabbage.

Green cabbage, like other cruciferous vegetables, is mostly water. It has a high level of vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber.

Pointed Cabbage

Pointed cabbage is a kind of white cabbage with pointed ends. Hispi cabbage, lover cabbage, or sweeter cabbage are other names for it.

Pointed cabbage is a hybrid of red and savoy cabbage. It has crisp, delicate, thin leaves and a mild, sweet taste. It is best consumed uncooked. Because of these features, pointed cabbage is a great replacement for Napa cabbage for preparing kimchi.

It has a lot of vitamin C, is low in calories and fat, and is easy to digest.

2 Best Substitute For Napa Cabbage In Dumplings

Traditional Japanese and Chinese dumpling fillings use Napa cabbage to give their dumplings substance.

Kale

Kale has a harsher, richer taste, making it a poor option as a replacement for Napa cabbage. It does, however, have thick, sturdy leaves and a curly texture comparable to Napa cabbage, making it an excellent substitute for dumplings.

Kale’s strong taste will increase the bitterness of your meal. It would, however, enhance the fattiness of your ground pork. Napa cabbage may be substituted for dumplings in a 2:1 ratio.

Green Swiss Chard

Green Swiss chard is an excellent substitute for Napa cabbage in dumplings. It has stiff green leaves that taste softer than kale but have the same bitter undertones.

Green Swiss chard is a member of the beet family, with delicate, green, meaty leaves and crisp, thick stems. The stems and leaves are cooked separately. To prepare the dumplings, the leaves are minced and incorporated with the meat. Napa cabbage may be substituted in a 2:1 ratio.

3 Best Substitute for Napa Cabbage in Stir Fry

Stir-fried veggies are popular in Asian cooking. Stir-fried leafy greens in woks are one of the simplest Asian recipes to prepare.

Choy Sum

Choy sum is a blooming Chinese cabbage that is sometimes misidentified as Bok choy and Napa cabbage. Choy sum, on the other hand, is visually distinct from both veggies.

Choy sum looks like broccolini, but instead of buds, it bears yellow flowers. The taste is similar to that of bok choy.

It cooks rapidly and has a vegetal, subtle taste, making it an excellent addition to stir-fries. Choy sum may also be included in any meal that calls for Napa cabbage.

Komatsuna

Komatsuna, often known as sensitive greens, are leafy, dark greens from the Brassica genus. However, Komatsuna looks more like spinach than Napa cabbage.

Soups, boiling vegetables, stir-fries, and Japanese-style hotpot or nabe are all common uses for it.

Komatsuna is a healthy vegetable that has more vitamin C and calcium than spinach. In terms of nutrients, it is superior than Napa cabbage.

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi belongs to the cabbage family. This alone makes this veggie a viable option for Napa cabbage.

It has a sweet, moderate taste with bitter undertones. It looks like a radish and is often cooked mashed, steamed, or fried. Kohlrabi may also be used in salads and slaws.

3 Best Substitute For Napa Cabbage In Soup

Hotpot is a popular Chinese cooking style that may be found both in restaurants and at home. A hotpot is a simmering soup kept at a low boiling temperature in which thinly sliced meat and vegetables are cooked.

Onion

Although not technically cabbage, this adaptable vegetable may be used in place of Napa cabbage in a hotpot. It is a common component in frying foods.

It has a robust flavor that becomes sweet when cooked. Onions effortlessly mix with any taste while maintaining their own flavor.

Pea Sprout

Peas are derived from pea sprouts. They are young green peas with a crisp texture and a delicious, sweet flavor.

In a hotpot, pea sprouts are a great alternative for Napa cabbage. It’s also delicious in salads and stir-fries.

Pea sprouts include a lot of fiber, protein, folic acid, and vitamins.

Bean Sprout

Bean sprouts are the soft, crisp roots that sprout from beans. Alfalfa sprouts and mung bean sprouts are the most popular forms.

Bean sprouts, like cabbages, are made up of water. They are often consumed raw or mildly cooked. This makes them ideal for use in hotpots.

Bean sprouts are available all year and are reasonably priced. They have a delicate flavor and perfume that will not overshadow your cuisine.

They are high in vitamin C, calcium, iron, and antioxidants.

6 Best Substitute For Napa Cabbage In Other Recipes

Napa cabbage may also be used to make buns or wraps.

Savoy Cabbage

Savoy cabbage is a popular substitute for cabbage rolls or wraps. This is because its broad, robust leaves spread out in a flower-like manner.

It’s the same size and form as green cabbage, but with larger external veins. The inner leaves may be braised, sautéed, or stir-fried. It may also be used to make pickled and fermented vegetables such as kimchi.

It’s high in dietary fiber, vitamins C and A, calcium, and iron.

Romaine Lettuce

Although not a cabbage, Romaine lettuce has the look and feel of Napa cabbage. It has robust light green to green leaves that grow on a solid rib, making it an excellent substitute for Napa cabbage in rolls or wraps.

It has a flavor that is fresh, juicy, and somewhat bitter, with overtones of sweetness and grassiness. It may be consumed raw in salads or sandwiches.

Romaine lettuce is low in calories and high in important vitamins and minerals.

Red Cabbage

Red cabbage is another cabbage variation from the cabbage family. This cabbage stands out due to its rich purple hue.

It has the same spherical form as green cabbage but stronger leaves than Napa cabbage. It has a sweet flavor that becomes fresh and spicy when cooked. Its crunchy texture makes it an excellent substitute for Napa cabbage in raw meals such as slaws and salads.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussel sprouts and green cabbage are related. They have the look of green cabbage but are the infant form.

It features crunchy, crispy green leaves with a sweet, nutty flavor similar to green cabbage, making it an excellent substitute for Napa cabbage.

To prepare a nutritious slaw, finely slice Brussels sprouts.

Napa cabbage is delicious in salads. However, if you want to try something new, these two greatest choices are the best options.

Endive

Endive may not be as widely recognized as other green vegetables, but it has a similar look to Napa cabbage. It has the same form, color, crisp texture, and buttery taste of the original. Endive, on the other hand, is somewhat bitterer than Napa cabbage.

Depending on the cultivar, its leaves are crinkly like Romaine lettuce. It may be eaten fresh and makes an excellent salad.

Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce resembles green lettuce in look, shape, and color. It has a crunchy, crispy texture and a sweet flavor that complements any dressing.

Iceberg lettuce is equivalent to Napa cabbage in terms of antioxidants, fiber, critical vitamins, and minerals. Because it is best eaten uncooked, iceberg lettuce is a popular salad ingredient.