Fresh Kimchi Salad with Spring Napa Cabbage is kimchi that you can make in minutes with no pickling and no need to wait for days for fermentation. Koreans call this type of fresh kimchi salad as Geotjeori (겉절이) which basically means pickling just the outside (geot 겉). In English, people call this Instant Kimchi, Fresh Kimchi, Kimchi Salad…I can’t decide what is the best name for it but what’s important is the fact that this is a Kimchi that can be made right before serving, just tossed with seasoning.
OK, so what is Bomdong(봄동) ? This spring cabbage is only available in the Spring = bom 봄 in Korea. There are different opinions as to whether this is a different variety of cabbage altogether or it is actually the same Korean napa cabbage that is used for Kimjang Kimchi and regular kimchi but is just grown differently.
Based on what I have read, the former seems to be true. Among Chinese or napa cabbage, there is a ‘heading cabbage’ (결구배추) type which produces the tightly packed and upright cabbage that we call napa cabbage. The ‘semi-heading cabbage’ (반결구배추) type spreads out flatl and bomdong is this type. Bomdong cabbage is smaller, flatter, juicier, more tender, maybe a little thicker but slightly sweeter than regular napa cabbage. It basically looks like a baby napa cabbage that has been totally flattened out and looks like a flower almost.. I also think the leaves are curlier than a regular napa.
This kind of cabbage was not available in Seoul when I was growing up but now they are available everywhere and I was very pleasantly surprised to find it in our local market in California!! If you can’t find it near where you live, you can just use the inner leaves of regular napa cabbage that is all white and it should work just fine.
Fresh Cabbage Kimchi Salad with Bomdong (Spring Cabbage)
Servings: 3-4 Cooking Time: 15 Difficulty: EASY
Ingredients
- 1 Korean spring cabbage (bomdong) or small napa cabbage (9-10 oz/250-280g)
- Kimchi Salad or Geotjeori Seasoning:
- 1 Tbs + 1 tsp Korean chili powder (gochukaru)
- 2 tsp myeolchi aekjeot (anchovy sauce) or fish sauce
- 1 tsp garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp guk ganjang (soy sauce for soup)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- large pinch of sesame seeds
- Gather bomdong cabbage leaves into your hand so bottom or root end is exposed.
Bomdong Cabbage – cutting root end Cut off bottom end so leaves will become loose.
Korean Spring Cabbage leaves for kimchi salad and Spock guarding my cabbage! HAHA - If the cabbage looks wilted or limp, soak leaves in a bowl of water for few minutes to bring it back to life. If not, rinse leaves under running water to wash off soil and dust.
- Drain cabbage leaves in a colander.
- Make seasoning by mixing chili powder, anchovy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, guk ganjang and salt.
- In a large bowl, tear large cabbage leaves into halves with your hands. You can cut it with a knife but I find this is easier to do and I love the rustic look this has.
Tearing cabbage for Fresh Kimchi Salad - Add seasoning to cabbage pieces and toss lightly. Be careful not to handle too much because you don’t want the grassy taste of the cabbage to come out.
Ready to toss Fresh Spring Cabbage Kimchi Salad - Serve immediately or optionally, leave the kimchi for about 15-20 minutes for the cabbage to absorb the seasoning a little bit. Turn leaves over 1-2 times during this time.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving!
Fresh Cabbage Kimchi Salad (Geotjeori) Fresh Kimchi Salad - Bomdong Geotjeori
Fresh Kimchi Salad using Spring Napa cabbage or Bomdong Geotjeori in Korean. This dish does not require fermentation and can be eaten right away.Prep: 15 minutesTotal Time: 15 minutesserves: 6Ingredients
- 1 Korean spring cabbage (bomdong) or small napa cabbage (9-10 oz/250-280g)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Kimchi Seasoning
- 4 tsp Korean chili powder (gochukaru)
- 2 tsp myeolchi aekjeot (anchovy sauce) or fish sauce
- 1 tsp garlic , chopped
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp guk ganjang (soy sauce for soup)
- 1 tsp Sea Salt (Trader Joe's)
Instructions
- Gather bomdong cabbage leaves into your hand so the bottom or root end is exposed.
- Cut off bottom and leaves will become loose.
- If the cabbage looks wilted or limp, soak leaves in a bowl of water for few minutes to bring it back to life. If not, rinse leaves under running water to wash off soil and dust.
- Drain cabbage leaves in a colander.
- Make seasoning by mixing chili powder, anchovy sauce, sugar, vinegar, garlic, guk ganjang and salt.
- In a large bowl, tear any large cabbage leaves into halves with your hands. Use the smaller leaves as they are. You can also use a knife but I find tearing is easier to do. I also love the rustic look this has.
- Add seasoning to cabbage pieces and toss lightly. Be careful not to handle too much to avoid any grassy taste in your kimchi. Serve immediately or optionally, leave the kimchi for about 15-20 minutes for the cabbage to absorb the seasoning a little bit. Turn leaves over 1-2 times during this time.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before serving!
Tips & Notes:
Leftover kimchi salad can be stored in fridge for several days.
Add a splash of maesil chung (green plum syrup) or some more sugar if you like a sweeter taste.
Add green onions or chives for added flavor.Nutrition Information:
Calories: 41kcal (2%)| Carbohydrates: 6g (2%)| Protein: 2g (4%)| Fat: 1g (2%)| Sodium: 450mg (20%)| Potassium: 390mg (11%)| Fiber: 2g (8%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Vitamin A: 870IU (17%)| Vitamin C: 40.7mg (49%)| Calcium: 135mg (14%)| Iron: 0.9mg (5%)
Notes
- Store leftover Fresh Kimchi Salad or Geotjeori in the fridge – it will slowly ferment but still should taste fresh for few days after.
- Some people add rice paste to make sure there’s no ‘grassy’ taste. It is up to you. Add about 1 Tbs of rice paste.
- Add swirl of Green Plum syrup (maesil chung) or a little more sugar to make it sweeter.
Happy early Spring!! 🌿
XOXO, ❤️
JinJoo
Thank you for posting this – I enjoy all your recipes and we all appreciate your hard work .
Thank you so much Michelle – it means a lot to hear it.
Hi JinJoo,
This recipe looks similar to the quick kimchi salad the now closed Todai buffet inside the Westminster Mall CA used to serve. I can’t wait to try it because their quick kimchi salad was my favorite. I used to eat mostly that salad. I wish you posted photos of the brand of ingredients to purchase because it’s tough to find them in Asian markets without knowing exactly what you are looking for. Thank you for posting.
Hi Michelle, sure that’s a great idea Will try to post brands next time. For now, try sempio soup soy sauce, Hasunjeing or Chungjeongwon anchovy sauce. Shrimps are usually different brands so just buy the more expensive and fresher looking one. Good luck!
Hello JinJoo,
Thank you for this refreshing recipe. It was perfect for a diversity day sampling with your chicken bulgogi.
Kind regards,
Diana
Hi Diana, thank you so much for the lovely comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed my chicken bulgogi and the geotjeori. Take care,
Wow, what a delicious salad recipe. I love anything with cabbage on it and your recipe just amazed me. Thank you for sharing!
That looks good! The dressing is very similar to what I put on romaine, minus the fish sauce, add soy. The longer it sits, the hotter it is.
Oh, that sounds actually really good! Probably more fresh tasting without the fish sauce…Thanks so much for stopping by.