Stir Fry Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp is a quick and easy Chinese vegetable side dish that's ready in about 15 minutes. Tender napa cabbage is stir fried with garlic and savory dried shrimp (蝦米), creating a simple dish packed with natural sweetness and umami. It's one of those everyday recipes that's delicious served with steamed rice and just about any Asian main dish.

Jump to:

• What is Napa Cabbage?
• What Are Dried Shrimp?
• Ingredients
• How to Make Stir Fry Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp
• Do I need to soak dried shrimp?
• Can I use regular cabbage?
• How do I store leftovers?
• What do I serve with it?
• Stir Fry Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp
• More Delicious Napa Cabbage Recipes

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 15 minutes
• Only a handful of ingredients
• Naturally gluten-free (depending on your ingredients)
• A classic Chinese home-style vegetable dish
• Pairs with almost any Asian meal
• Great way to use up napa cabbage

What is Napa Cabbage?

Napa cabbage (also called Chinese cabbage) is a leafy vegetable commonly used throughout Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Japanese cooking. Unlike regular green cabbage, napa cabbage has tender leaves and juicy white stems that become sweet when cooked.

It's incredibly versatile and can be used in stir fries, soups, dumplings, hot pot, noodle dishes, and of course kimchi.

Because the white stems take a little longer to cook than the leafy greens, I like to separate them before stir frying so everything finishes cooking at the same time.

What Are Dried Shrimp?

Dried shrimp (蝦米) are small shrimp that have been salted and sun-dried to concentrate their flavor. They're a pantry staple in many Chinese and Taiwanese kitchens because they add an incredible amount of savory umami with just a small handful.

You'll often find dried shrimp in:

• Fried rice
• Stir fries
• Rice noodles
• Dumplings
• Soups
• Sticky rice

You can usually find them at Asian grocery stores in the refrigerated section or packaged with dried seafood.

If you don't have dried shrimp, you can simply omit them and make a garlic napa cabbage stir fry instead.

Ingredients

First, gather the ingredients:

• ½ head napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried shrimp
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tablespoon rice wine, optional
• Salt, to taste

How to Make Stir Fry Napa Cabbage with Dried Shrimp

First, wash the napa cabbage well and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Separate the thick white stems from the leafy green portions since they cook at different speeds.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and dried shrimp and stir fry for about one minute until fragrant.

Add the white stems of the napa cabbage and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the rice wine around the edge of the pan, if using, and continue stir frying. If the pan becomes dry, add a small splash of water.

Next, add the leafy green portions and continue stir frying until wilted and tender but still bright green.

Season with salt to taste, give everything one final toss, and serve immediately.

Tips

• Separate the stems and leaves so everything cooks evenly.
• Napa cabbage releases quite a bit of water as it cooks, so don't be surprised if the pan becomes slightly saucy.
• Dried shrimp are naturally salty, so season gradually.
• If your stove isn't very powerful, covering the pan for a minute can help soften the thicker stems faster

Variations

Add mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms pair beautifully with napa cabbage and dried shrimp.

Make it vegetarian

Skip the dried shrimp and let the garlic shine.

Add tofu

Cubed tofu turns this simple side into a light meal.

Finish with sesame oil

A tiny drizzle at the end adds a nice nutty aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to soak dried shrimp?

For smaller dried shrimp, I usually don't bother. I simply stir fry them with the garlic first. If your dried shrimp are particularly large or very dry, soaking them in warm water for about 5-10 minutes beforehand can help soften them.

Can I use regular cabbage?

Yes, but the texture will be different. Napa cabbage is much more tender and slightly sweeter once cooked.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.

What do I serve with it?

This vegetable side pairs well with almost any Asian main dish, including:

• Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken
• Asian Flanken Ribs
• Taiwanese Rice Noodles
• Seafood Fried Rice

More Delicious Napa Cabbage Recipes

• Cook it up with some protein with this Chicken Napa Cabbage Stir Fry! This is a quick and easy dish is loaded with juicy chicken and flavorful cabbage, all tossed in a garlicky, savory sauce.
• If you're looking for a veggie side dish check out my Shiitake Mushrooms and Napa Cabbage Stir Fry - A simple, stir fry featuring savory shiitake mushrooms and tender napa cabbage with a tasty saucy finish.
• Try it with noods with my Napa Cabbage and Glass Noodles Stir Fry - Chewy glass noodles meet soft napa cabbage in this comforting and satisfying dish that's both cozy and delicious.
• Or check out my Pork and Napa Cabbage Dumplings - These juicy pork dumplings are made extra delicious with napa cabbage in the filling-perfect for steaming, pan frying, or boiling!