Taiwanese Cabbage Stir Fry with Garlic and Dried Shrimp is a simple and flavorful Asian vegetable side dish that comes together in under 15 minutes. The cabbage becomes sweet, tender, and slightly silky as it cooks, while garlic and dried shrimp add a delicious savory umami flavor.

Jump to:

• About the Ingredients
• How to Make Cabbage Stir Fry with Dried Shrimp (Step by Step)
• Storage
• Reheating
• Can I skip the dried shrimp?
• What does Taiwanese cabbage taste like?
• Can I use regular cabbage instead?
• Is this dish spicy?
• Can I add protein?
• What do dried shrimp taste like?
• What should I serve with Taiwanese cabbage stir fry?
• Cabbage Stir Fry with Dried Shrimp (Recipe)
• More Delicious Cabbage Recipes to Try
• Pin for later!

This is the kind of everyday Taiwanese home cooking dish that pairs perfectly with rice and almost any main dish. It's easy, affordable, healthy, and a great way to use up cabbage in the fridge.

For this recipe, we usually use Taiwanese cabbage (also called flat cabbage), which is sweeter and more tender than regular green cabbage. However, regular cabbage works perfectly fine too!

Dried shrimp adds extra depth and authentic flavor, but if you don't have any on hand, you can absolutely still make this dish with just garlic for a delicious and simple cabbage stir fry.

About the Ingredients

Here's some extra info / tips for this dish you might find helpful:

Taiwanese Cabbage

For this dish, we usually use Taiwanese cabbage, also known as flat cabbage. Compared to regular green cabbage, Taiwanese cabbage is softer, sweeter, and cooks faster, making it a very popular vegetable in Taiwanese and Chinese home cooking.

However, if you can't find Taiwanese cabbage, regular green cabbage works perfectly well too.

To prepare the cabbage:

• Remove any damaged outer leaves
• Slice the cabbage into bite-sized strips or chunks
• Wash thoroughly and drain well

Want to learn more about Chinese vegetables? Check out my Different Types of Chinese Vegetables guide!

Dried Shrimp

Dried shrimp, also called 蝦米 (xia mi), are small shrimp that have been salted and dried. They're commonly used in many Chinese and Taiwanese dishes to add savory umami flavor.

A little goes a long way! Even just a tablespoon adds a ton of flavor to stir fries, fried rice, noodles, soups, and vegetable dishes like this cabbage stir fry.

You can usually find dried shrimp at Asian grocery stores or online.

Don't have any? No worries - this cabbage stir fry is still delicious with just garlic as well!

How to Make Cabbage Stir Fry with Dried Shrimp (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
• 1 pound shredded cabbage
• Salt, to taste
• Optional: 2 tablespoons water or chicken broth

Prepare the Cabbage

Slice the cabbage into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.

If using Taiwanese cabbage, the leaves may naturally separate more easily due to its softer texture.

Cook the Dried Shrimp

If using dried shrimp, heat oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.

Add the dried shrimp and stir fry for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn them.

You should start to smell a savory seafood aroma.

Add the Garlic

Add the chopped garlic and stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Stir Fry the Cabbage

Add the cabbage and stir fry for about 1 minute so the cabbage gets coated in the flavorful oil.

If the cabbage is taking a long time to cook - which can happen if the stove heat is not high enough or if you're using regular green cabbage - add a splash of water or chicken broth and cover the pan for about 1 minute.

This helps soften the cabbage faster while keeping it tender.

Remove the lid and continue stir frying for another 4-5 minutes, or until the cabbage reaches your preferred tenderness.

Season with salt to taste and serve immediately!

Storage and Reheating

Storage

Store leftover Taiwanese cabbage stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keep in mind that cabbage naturally releases water as it sits, so the dish may become softer over time.

Reheating

Reheat in a wok or frying pan over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave it for 1-2 minutes.

If the cabbage released extra liquid in the fridge, simply stir fry it for another minute or two to help evaporate some of the moisture.

FAQ

Can I skip the dried shrimp?

Yes! Dried shrimp adds extra savory umami flavor, but this cabbage stir fry is still delicious with just garlic and salt.

What does Taiwanese cabbage taste like?

Taiwanese cabbage is sweeter, more tender, and less peppery than regular green cabbage. It also cooks faster and has a softer texture when stir fried.

Can I use regular cabbage instead?

Absolutely. Regular green cabbage works perfectly fine for this recipe. It may just take slightly longer to cook.

Is this dish spicy?

Nope! This version is not spicy, but you can add sliced chilies or chili oil if you'd like some heat.

Can I add protein?

Yes! Thinly sliced pork belly, chicken, shrimp, or tofu all pair well with this cabbage stir fry.

What do dried shrimp taste like?

Dried shrimp have a concentrated savory seafood flavor and add lots of umami to dishes. A little goes a long way!

What should I serve with Taiwanese cabbage stir fry?

This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice and Taiwanese home-style dishes like three cup chicken, braised pork rice, stir fried meats, or simple soups.

More Delicious Cabbage Recipes to Try

• Shrimp Cabbage Stir Fry
  Marinated shrimp stir fried with cabbage in a savory sauce. Easy to make and perfect served family-style or over rice.
• Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry
  Tender chicken stir fried with garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbage in a flavorful sauce.
• Pork Belly Cabbage Stir Fry
  Quick, easy, and tasty! Crisp cabbage tossed with marinated pork belly in just 20 minutes.
• Stir Fry Cabbage with Sichuan Peppercorn
  A bold and fragrant cabbage stir fry featuring numbing Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, and tender cabbage.

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