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Easy Japanese Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Miso Paste

ByJuri Austin Published on Updated on
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5 from 7 votes
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Make this quick and flavorful Japanese Napa cabbage stir-fry with miso paste! A healthy, delicious dish ready in just 15 minutes – perfect for busy nights!

Looking for napa cabbage recipes? Try Pickled Napa Cabbage, Napa Cabbage Slaw, or Napa Cabbage Soup!

Japanese Napa Cabbage Miso Stir-fry

Featured Comment

From Joanne: “Very simple delicious vegetarian stir fry. Thank you”

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

Why You Will Love This Recipe 

  • The miso sauce brings a deep, savory umami taste.
  • Packed with nutritious napa cabbage and protein-rich atsuage.
  • Crispy atsuage pairs perfectly with tender napa cabbage.

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 Stir Fry:

Ingredients for Japanese Napa Cabbage Miso Stir-fry
  • Napa Cabbage: Choose napa cabbage that is tightly wrapped with no gaps between the leaves.
  • Other Vegetables: This recipe uses green onion, but feel free to add mushrooms (shiitake or shimeji), bell peppers, or carrots for extra color, flavor, and nutrients.
  • Atsuage: Deep-fried tofu with a firm, chewy texture, perfect for absorbing the flavors of the sauce. If you can’t find atsuage, you can substitute with extra-firm tofu for a similar texture.
  • Flour: Any type of wheat flour works to coat the atsuage, but if you want a lighter, crispier texture, opt for potato starch or cornstarch.
  • Sesame Oil: While you can use other oils, sesame oil brings a distinct aroma that elevates the flavor of this dish.
  • Seasonings: Miso paste, mirin, and sake create the savory sauce that ties the dish together.

How To Make Napa Cabbage Stir-fry: 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.

How to make napa cabbage stir fry.

Step 1

Cut napa cabbage, green onion, and atsuage.

How to make napa cabbage stir fry.

Step 2

Pan-fry atsuage until crispy, then set aside.

How to make napa cabbage stir fry.

Step 3

Stir-fry cabbage and green onion until soft.

How to make napa cabbage stir fry.

Step 4

Return atsuage to the pan, add miso sauce, and stir to coat.

Japanese Napa Cabbage Miso Stir-fry

Serve warm and enjoy this miso-flavored napa cabbage stir-fry!

Recipe Tips

  • Pan-fry the atsuage until golden and crispy – This enhances the flavor and adds a satisfying bite.
  • If the taste feels too light, add more mirin for sweetness or miso paste for deeper umami.

What To Serve With

To complement this napa cabbage stir fry, I recommend serving it with Kinpira Gobo, Vegan Vegetable Soup, and Pickled Daikon Radish.

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Napa cabbage stir fry served on a plate.

More Cabbage Recipes You Will Love

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Japanese napa cabbage miso stir-fry

Easy Japanese Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Miso Paste

5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Juri Austin
Make this quick and flavorful Japanese Napa cabbage stir-fry with miso paste! A healthy, delicious dish ready in just 15 minutes – perfect for busy nights!

Equipment

  • Medium frying pan

Ingredients

  • ⅛ Napa Cabbage, 300g
  • ½ Green Onion
  • 1 Atsuage , 170g
  • pinch of Salt, for seasoning atsuage
  • 1 Tbsp Flour, for coating atsuage
  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil

Miso Sauce

Instructions

  • Prepare the Ingredients: Cut napa cabbage into strips. Slice green onion diagonally. Cut the atsuage in half horizontally, then into strips. Sprinkle with salt and lightly coat with flour.
  • Pan-Fry the Atsuage: Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add atsuage strips and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
  • Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the napa cabbage and green onion in the same pan. Stir-fry lightly, add a splash of water, cover, and steam for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  • Add Miso Sauce and Atsuage: While the vegetables cook, mix miso paste, mirin, and sake in a small bowl. Return the atsuage to the pan, pour the miso sauce over everything, and stir to coat.
  • Serve and Enjoy: Transfer to a plate and serve warm.

Video

Notes

  • Storage: Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 
  • Pan-fry the atsuage until golden and crispy – This enhances the flavor and adds a satisfying bite.
  • If the taste feels too light, add more mirin for sweetness or miso paste for deeper umami.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.9g | Protein: 6.9g
Course: Main
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Napa cabbage stir fry
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4 Comments

  2. Hello! I think that there is a labelling error – the Tofu has “Carrot”. I am going to try this on the weekend but not sure if I can get Atsuage but I will use an alternative :).

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