Go Back
AI illustration of glossy green and pale cabbage pieces with fine reddish-brown specks on a shallow beige plate.

Stir-Fried Spiced Cabbage (La-Pai-Ts'ai)

Cabbage stir-fried in oil, then mixed off the heat with sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and cayenne pepper. Serve lukewarm or chilled.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Chinese cabbage or 1 lb bok choy or 1 lb green cabbage
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon flavorless vegetable oil or 1 tablespoon peanut oil

Method
 

  1. With a sharp knife, trim the top leaves of the cabbage and wash them.
  2. Cut the cabbage into 1 by 2 inch pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and cayenne pepper and mix thoroughly.
  4. Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat for about 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in the oil, swirl it in the pan, and heat for about another 30 seconds.
  6. Turn the heat down to moderate, add the cabbage, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Make sure all the cabbage is coated with the oil.
  8. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the soy-vinegar mixture.
  9. Transfer the cabbage to a serving platter and let cool to lukewarm before serving.
  10. You may serve the cabbage chilled, if you prefer.

Notes

Servings: 4-6