Chinese Cabbage and Shiitake Rice Bowl
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: The rice steams while the vegetables are prepared and stir-fried, keeping the total time comfortably under 30 minutes.
- Clean savoury depth: Shiitake mushrooms bring umami, while ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil add fragrance without making the bowl heavy.
- Balanced texture: The cabbage is cooked until wilted but still lightly crisp, contrasting with soft rice and glossy mushrooms.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm napa cabbage: Look for crisp, pale leaves without too much moisture; they stir-fry quickly and keep a pleasant bite.
- Use shiitake for depth: Shiitake mushrooms give the bowl a deeper savoury flavour than milder button mushrooms.
Texture tips
- Keep the wok moving: Stir-fry the cabbage over medium-high heat and keep it moving so it wilts quickly rather than releasing too much liquid.
- Stop while still crisp: Take the cabbage off the heat as soon as it is tender but still bright, especially if you plan to reheat leftovers.
Make-ahead tips
- Store rice and vegetables separately: Keeping the rice and stir-fry in separate airtight containers helps the rice stay fluffy and prevents the vegetables from softening too much.
- Reheat with a splash of water: Warm in a wok or frying pan with a little water until piping hot, stirring gently so the soy coating loosens without burning.
Serving ideas
- Add extra crunch: Finish with more roasted sesame seeds or extra spring onion for a brighter, more textured bowl.
- Serve with chilli oil: A small spoonful of chilli oil works well at the table for anyone who wants heat without changing the base recipe.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs mostly clear, then tip into a saucepan with the water. Bring to the boil, cover, and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave covered for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, slice the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces and slice the shiitake mushrooms. Peel and finely grate the ginger, and finely chop the garlic. Thinly slice the spring onion.
- Heat the sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat, then stir-fry the mushrooms for 2 minutes until glossy and starting to colour. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cabbage and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until wilted but still a little crisp.
- Stir in the light soy sauce and cook for 30 to 60 seconds so it coats the vegetables. Divide the rice between two bowls and spoon the stir-fry on top. Finish with spring onion and roasted sesame seeds.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the cabbage moving in the wok so it stays bright and lightly crisp rather than stewing.
- If your wok looks dry, add a splash of water to help the soy sauce coat the vegetables without burning.
Substitutions
- Replace light soy sauce with dark soy sauce for a deeper colour and slightly sweeter, richer flavour.
- Replace sesame oil with olive oil for a milder finish, then use extra roasted sesame seeds on top to keep some nuttiness.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate rice and vegetables in airtight containers. Reheat in a wok or frying pan with a splash of water for 3 to 5 minutes until piping hot, or microwave until piping hot, stirring halfway through.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 bowls
- Total time: 25min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Chinese
-
Allergens:
Sesame Soybeans
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