10 Chinese Cabbage (Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage) Recipes

Written by
Rhonda Parkinson
Rhonda Parkinson is a freelance writer who has authored many cookbooks, including two Everything guides to Chinese cooking.
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Rhonda Parkinson
Updated 06/14/20
Chinese Cabbage

Stillfactory / Getty Images

There are many different types of Chinese cabbage. These Chinese cabbage recipes feature the two most well-known varieties, Bok Choy, and Napa Cabbage (which is frequently referred to as Chinese cabbage). 

  • 01 of 10

    Stir-fry Baby Bok Choy

    Stir-frying of Bok Choy

    DigiPub / Getty Images

    Bok choy is the most well-known type of Chinese cabbage, with its “spoon shaped” green leaves and white stalks that are similar to celery. Bok choy is very adaptable—it can be stir-fried, deep-fried, grilled or steamed. Here, baby bok choy is stir-fried with soy sauce and other seasonings.

  • 02 of 10

    Bok Choy Chicken Soup

    Bok choy chicken soup

    The Spruce 

    Tender leaves of bok choy are simmered with soy sauce and other seasonings in this simple, nourishing soup. Feel free to experiment with the basic recipe, adding other ingredients as desired. 

  • 03 of 10

    Roasted Bok Choy

    Roasted Bok Choy

    The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo 

    As with many other vegetables, bok choy becomes rich and nutty when roasted in a hot oven. This recipe kicks up the flavor level a notch with a homemade Asian vinaigrette made of soy sauce, sesame oil, and vinegar. The mixture is drizzled over the roasted bok choy, making for an addictive side dish.

  • 04 of 10

    Spicy Stir-fry Chinese Cabbage

    Bok choy stir fry

    haoliang / Getty Images

    Napa cabbage (also called by its Chinese name, sui choy) is stir-fried with chili paste and fresh garlic and then finished with rice wine or dry sherry and a bit of sugar.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

    bowls of taiwanese beef noodle soup on table with chopsticks

    The Spruce Eats / Anna Rider

    Bok choy and wheat noodles are the perfect finishing touch to Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Considered the national dish of Taiwan, this flavorful soup can easily become a favorite in your house too.

  • 06 of 10

    Panfried Potstickers

    Chinese Pork Dumplings Recipe

     The Spruce

    Chinese cabbage is used in the filling of numerous Chinese dumpling recipes. Here, Napa cabbage is paired with ground pork, green onion, and Asian seasonings in this recipe for potstickers dumplings—those tasty dumplings that are pan-fried on one side and then steamed. You can serve the potstickers on their own or with a dipping sauce.

  • 07 of 10

    Cabbage With Chinese Sausage

    Chinese sausages in Farmers Market, Guangzhou

    Huang Xin / Getty Images

    This dish pairs cabbage with sweet and savory Chinese sausage (lop cheong). Both the Chinese sausage and hot bean paste used in this recipe are sold in Asian markets.

  • 08 of 10

    Lion's Head Meatballs

    Lion's Head Meatballs

    Gary Stevens / Flickr / CC2.0

    This is the classic Shanghai dish, with oversized meatballs representing the lion, and shredded greens (bok choy or Napa cabbage are fine) to represent the mane, cooked in a nourishing broth.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Shrimp Stir-fry with Chinese Greens

    Shrimp With Chinese Greens Stir fry

    jeffreyw / Flickr / CC2.0

    Shrimp is paired with bok choy and mushrooms in this easy stir-fry. The recipe calls for fresh mushrooms, but feel free to use Chinese dried mushrooms if desired.

  • 10 of 10

    Beef Lo Mein

    Beef lo mein recipe

    The Spruce Eats / Teena Agnel

    A popular dish on Chinese restaurant menus, egg noodles, and shredded cabbage soak up the sauce in this nourishing noodle dish.