5 from 22 votes

Servings

This easy and quick Japanese-style Napa Cabbage Slaw is the best! If you wonder what to do with napa cabbage, try this salad!

Looking for napa cabbage recipes? Try Pickled Napa Cabbage, Napa Cabbage Miso Stir-fry, or Napa Cabbage Soup!

Featured Comment

From Rafał: “Simple and tasty.”

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This napa cabbage coleslaw requires only 5 ingredients!
This quick and straightforward recipe makes it a perfect choice for busy days. And it’s nutritious!
The combination of salt, Japanese mayonnaise, and rice vinegar creates a harmonious flavor profile that enhances the vegetables.

Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage, Hakusai in Japanese, is a variety of Chinese cabbage commonly used in Asian cooking. It can be eaten raw, stir-fried, or stewed. It has a milder and sweeter flavor with a more delicate texture than regular cabbage. The best season is during the cold months, from November to February. Learn more about it in this Japanese Napa Cabbage Recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Napa Cabbage Slaw:

Ingredients for Japanese Napa Cabbage Coleslaw

Napa cabbage: When selecting a whole piece, pick one that feels heavy and has tightly curled leaves. If you can’t find napa cabbage at your local grocery store, substitute it with other types of cabbage, such as traditional green cabbage, red cabbage, or savoy cabbage.
Carrot: I chose carrots for their vibrant color, but feel free to include other crunchy vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, or daikon radish.
Salt, mayonnaise, and rice vinegar for the seasonings. Rice vinegar is commonly used vinegar in Japan, but you can also use alternatives like wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even lime juice.

How To Make Napa Cabbage Slaw: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Cut napa cabbage and carrot.

Step 2

Add salt to the vegetables and massage them.

Step 3

Squeeze the vegetables and drain the water.

Step 4

Add mayonnaise and vinegar and toss them together.

Top with toasted sesame seeds if you like, and enjoy the salad! It’s crunchy and yummy!

Recipe Tips

For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the slaw for at least 30 minutes before serving.
You can adjust the size of the cuts based on your preference! Cutting it into larger pieces allows you to enjoy the crunchy texture even more.

Storage

Store in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It will be good for 3 to 4 days. The liquid comes out the next day, and the taste gets diluted, so please add seasonings to tweak the taste.

Variations

Napa cabbage slaw can be made in many different ways. Some variations you can try include:

Asian slaw: Add sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar to the dressing and top with peanuts and cilantro.
Spicy slaw: Add chopped red pepper to the dressing.
Yogurt-based slaw: Add yogurt, lemon juice, and black pepper to the dressing.

Want More Plant-Based Ideas?

Download 10 Vegetarian Recipes

More Cabbage Recipes You Will Love

Leave a Rating!

I hope you enjoy this Napa Cabbage Slaw! If you try it, don’t forget to leave a rating to share your thoughts—I love hearing from you!

Easy Napa Cabbage Slaw

5 from 22 votes

Prep: 15

Total: 15

Servings:

Author: Juri Austin

This easy and quick Japanese-style Napa Cabbage Slaw is the best! If you wonder what to do with napa cabbage, try this salad!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Cut vegetables: Cut napa cabbage and carrot and put them in a large bowl.
Add salt: Add salt, massage them and leave it for 10 minutes.
Remove the excess liquid: Squeeze the vegetables and drain.
Add seasonings: Add mayonnaise and vinegar, and toss them together.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container and keeps it in the fridge. It will be good for 3 to 4 days. The liquid comes out the next day, and the taste gets diluted, so please add seasonings to tweak the taste.
Substitute: You can substitute napa cabbage with other types of cabbage. Cucumbers and paprika are also delicious to add. You can substitute rice vinegar with wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 3.9gProtein: 1.2g

This nutritional information is estimated and provided for general reference only.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: napa cabbage slaw

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Juri Austin

Hi! I’m Juri, founder of Chef JA Cooks and the creator and photographer of this site. I’m here to guide you in authentic yet easy-to-follow Japanese recipes! Let’s explore the world of Japanese cuisine together!

Learn More About Juri

5 from 22 votes (19 ratings without comment)

8 Comments

Bambi Kelley says:

May 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM

Made this last night to go with some fresh sea bass. What an easy yet delicious and healthy side dish. This one is a summer keeper.

1. Juri Austin says:
  
  May 27, 2025 at 4:31 AM
  
  That sounds like a great combo! I’m so glad you enjoyed it
  
Elise says:

May 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM

The Napa cabbage is so good and my favorite cabbage. The simplicity of this recipe lets it shine.

1. Juri Austin says:
  
  May 21, 2025 at 8:11 AM
  
  Thank you for your rating! Glad you love it!
  
Rafał says:

Sep 5, 2024 at 10:14 PM

Simple and tasty.

1. Juri Austin says:
  
  Sep 6, 2024 at 8:07 AM
  
  Thank you for your review!
  
Rickard says:

Nov 3, 2022 at 3:09 AM

Hi Juri,

I love coleslaw, and I make two styles of coleslaw both using a European type of cabbage. One style uses a mayonnaise and vinegar dressing like yours, and the other an oil and vinegar dressing (AKA a vinaigrette dressing). I will definitely make both styles using a napa (or hakusai) cabbage per your recipe with a few modifications..

Speaking of napa/hakusai cabbage, I frequently pickle it (hakusai no shiozuke) in a pickle press (tsukemonoki). I actually prefer the Japanese version of pickled cabbage over the Korean kimchi version as the sweetness and nuanced taste of the napa cabbage is the star as opposed to an overwhelming red pepper taste.

1. JURI says:
  
  Nov 4, 2022 at 4:00 AM
  
  Thanks for your comment, Rick! I would love to try coleslaw with that vinaigrette dressing. Sound so yummy! Thanks for your suggestion!