Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic

By: MeganPosted: 14/10/2025 Updated: 07/10/2025

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Prep 5 minutes
Cook 5 minutes

This crisp and delicious cabbage recipe only uses six ingredients to create a flavorful vegetable dish. And this quick and easy Taiwanese cabbage with garlic takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details

Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic

Looking for a quick and easy way to add vegetables to your busy weeknight dinner? This Taiwanese cabbage with garlic recipe is made for you. The Taiwanese cabbage is quickly sauteed with garlic and a few seasonings in under 10 minutes.

This Taiwanese cabbage with garlic recipe is inspired by Din Tai Fung’s cabbage dish, which is easy to make at home for a fraction of the cost. For other Din Tai Fung favorites, check out my Din Tai Fung cucumber salad, garlic green beans, egg fried rice, and Shanghai rice cakes.

What is Taiwanese Cabbage?

Taiwanese cabbage is also called white cabbage, flat cabbage or sweet cabbage. It is a variety of Napa cabbage that is popular in Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. The cabbage has a flatter and broader shape than regular cabbage with thinner and lighter green leaves. It has a sweet, juicy, and crisp flavor and texture.

This recipe is inspired by the Din Tai Fung menu, which offers Taiwanese cabbage tossed over high heat with sliced garlic. This recipe can be served as a side dish accompanied by your favorite noodle, rice, or protein dish.

Ingredients

You can find all the ingredients for this Taiwanese cabbage with garlic recipe at your local Asian grocery store. Full measurements and links to all the ingredients I used are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Taiwanese cabbage: also labeled as white cabbage, flat cabbage, or sweet cabbage. It is flatter and has a lighter green color than regular green cabbage. You can use any leftover cabbage in my chicken lo mein or bami goreng (Indonesian stir-fried noodles) recipe.
  • Garlic: is the main aromatic. Be sure to use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
  • Taiwanese Rice Wine: or Michiu is a glutinous rice wine that has a soft, mild, and sweet flavor.
  • Chicken Bouillon Powder: acts as a savory flavor enhancer.
  • Salt and White Pepper: to season the Taiwanese cabbage with garlic.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

  • Shaoxing wine: an alternative to michiu.
  • MSG: Instead of chicken bouillon powder, use MSG.

Additions

How to Make Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic

Here are the step-by-step instructions for this Taiwanese cabbage with garlic recipe.

  1. Slice the cabbage into quarters. Then slice off the core. Lastly slice the cabbage into 2 inch pieces and separate the leaves with your fingers.
  1. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium high heat until hot. Then saute the garlic for 30 seconds.
  1. Next add the cabbage and toss for 3 minutes.
  1. Deglaze the edge of the pan with the Taiwanese rice wine. Then combine the chicken bouillon powder, salt and white pepper for 1-2 minutes.
  1. Serve the Taiwanese cabbage with garlic immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips

  • Use fresh Taiwanese cabbage. For the sweetest, and most crisp texture, be sure to select a flat, light green cabbage that feels crisp and not limp.
  • Cut evenly. Slice the cabbage into 2-3 inch wide pieces that are slightly larger to maintain a crisp texture when cooked.
  • Use a hot wok. This will quickly cook the cabbage without making it overly soggy and seal in the cabbage’s natural sweetness.
  • Total cook time is 4 minutes max. Quick cooking time will guarantee a crunchy and juicy cabbage. Be careful to not overcook.

Storage Instructions

You can store this Taiwanese cabbage with garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat: reheat on the stove over medium-high heat until warm. Alternatively, microwave the cabbage, covered, until warm.

Pairing Suggestions

This Taiwanese cabbage with garlic recipe is best served as a side dish, accompanied by the following pairing suggestions.

FAQ

Why is my Taiwanese cabbage soggy?

This could be due to cooking the Taiwanese cabbage with garlic for too long or using a heat that is not high enough. Make sure to use a hot wok before adding the cabbage and remove the cabbage once the texture is at your desired crispness.

Can I use regular cabbage?

Technically yes. However, the flavor and texture will be different. Regular cabbage does not have the natural sweetness and similar crispy, juicy texture as Taiwanese cabbage.

Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic Recipe

Taiwanese Cabbage with Garlic

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
This crisp and delicious cabbage recipe only uses six ingredients for an incredibly delicious vegetable dish. Taiwanese cabbage with garlic is sweet, savory, and only takes 10 minutes to make.
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cut the cabbage. Slice the cabbage into quarters. Then slice off the core. Lastly, slice the cabbage into 2 to 3-inch pieces and separate the leaves with your fingers.
  • Sauté the garlic. In a wok or large pan, heat three tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat until hot. Then add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
  • Add the cabbage. Next, add the cabbage and toss for 2 minutes or until it is softened.
  • Season the cabbage. Deglaze the edge of the pan with the Taiwanese rice wine. Then season the cabbage with chicken bouillon powder, salt, and white pepper and toss until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Serve. Serve the Taiwanese cabbage with garlic immediately and enjoy!

Notes

See the Expert Tips for more guidance.

Equipment

Nutrition:

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 595mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 65mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg

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