Beijing Mustard Cabbage Bites
A classic Beijing cold dish featuring crisp cabbage in a pungent yellow mustard dressing. Zesty, refreshing, and perfect for cutting through rich festive flavors.
Ingredients
8 items- Napa cabbage 1 head (core only)
- Yellow mustard powder 30g
- Sugar 2 tbsp
- Rice vinegar 3 tbsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Light soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Goji berries a few
Nutrition
Steps （8 steps）
Remove outer leaves of cabbage, take the core, cut into 5cm lengths. Rinse and drain.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Blanch cabbage sections for about 40 seconds until the stems become translucent. Immediately transfer to ice water.
Drain the cooled cabbage, gently squeeze out excess water while keeping shape intact. Place in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, mix yellow mustard powder with warm water (about 40°C) to form a paste. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes to develop pungency.
Add sugar, rice vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil to the mustard paste. Stir until well combined.
Pour the mustard dressing over the cabbage. Gently toss with gloved hands to coat evenly.
Transfer the cabbage to an airtight container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.
Arrange on a plate, garnish with goji berries or red pepper shreds. Serve cold. The mustard is pungent, the cabbage crunchy, sweet and sour.
Tips
Use warm water (not hot) to mix the mustard powder and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to unlock full heat. Squeeze cabbage well but don't crush it.
You May Also Like
More recipes you might enjoy
Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings)
Traditional Chinese zongzi, sticky rice filled with marinated pork belly and salted duck egg yolks, boiled until tender and fragrant with bamboo leaf aroma. A must-have for Dragon Boat Festival, also a savory treat anytime.
Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)
Thin, silky rice noodle rolls filled with succulent shrimp, drizzled with a sweet-savory soy sauce—this classic Cantonese dim sum dish is a morning tea favorite. Making it at home brings authentic texture and flavor to your table.
Peking Duck
A world-renowned classic of Beijing cuisine, featuring crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. Served with thin pancakes, sweet bean sauce, and scallion shreds, each bite is a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. Enjoy authentic Peking Duck at home!
Pan-fried Pork Buns (Sheng Jian Bao)
Soft and fluffy top with a crispy golden bottom, these Shanghai-style pan-fried pork buns burst with savory juice when you bite into them. A beloved breakfast classic and street food favorite.