Napa Cabbage
Estimated Inventory, 30 lbs : 32.34
This item was last sold on : 06/02/25
Description/Taste
Napa cabbage is a densely packed, large and elongated head, averaging 25-50 centimeters in length and 15-20 centimeters in width, with an oval to oblong shape. The bright white stems are thick, lightly grooved, and smooth, tightly clustered at the base forming basal rosettes. Attached to the fibrous stems are crinkled, delicate, and curved leaves that range in color from pale green to yellow and are covered in white veins that extend across the surface. Napa cabbage is crisp and aqueous with a subtly sweet, mild flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Napa cabbage is available year-round.
Current Facts
Napa cabbage, botanically classified as Brassica rapa var. pekinensis, is a variety of Chinese cabbage that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Native to China, Napa cabbage is most popularly used in Asian cuisine and is also known by many different names, including Da bai cai in Mandarin, Sui choy in Cantonese, Hakusai in Japanese, Pechay Baguio in Filipino, and Wombok in English. There are many varieties of Napa cabbage, including heritage and hybrid cultivars, and the cabbage’s presence has expanded globally, used in cooking around the world. Napa cabbage is also a popular yin, or cold food in traditional Chinese medicine, which practices the belief of eating a balanced diet of “hot and cold” foods to create harmony within the body.
Nutritional Value
Napa cabbage is an excellent source of calcium, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants, which can help boost immunity within the body and help repair cell damage. It also contains magnesium, vitamin B, fiber, and folic acid.
Applications
Napa cabbage is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as braising, stewing, grilling, stir-frying, and boiling. Traditionally used in Asian cuisine, Napa cabbage can be shredded into slaws or green salads, or it can be stuffed into dumplings, fresh spring rolls, and steamed buns. The leaves can also be simmered in hot pot or other soups, cooked into curries, or lightly stir-fried with other vegetables and mixed into noodle and rice dishes. In addition to cooked preparations, Napa cabbage is popularly fermented and used to make kimchi. Outside of Asian cuisine, Napa cabbage is also being used in sandwiches, as a lettuce wrap, in salads, or as a creamed side dish. Napa cabbage pairs well with potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, cucumber, celery, parsnips, meats such as white fish, pork, poultry, and duck, grapefruit, oranges, and pistachios. The leaves will keep 1-2 weeks when wrapped in plastic and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Beijing, China, Napa cabbage was once one of the most important sources of nutrients during long winter seasons. The cabbages would be transported from neighboring farms and placed into large piles in the market where locals would gather and purchase a supply for the winter. In 1989, more cabbage was produced than there was demand. In an effort to sell the excess cabbages, the Chinese government began marketing the purchase of Napa cabbage as an act of patriotism and strongly encouraged the public to store as much as eighty pounds of cabbage in their houses for the winter. With the influx of cabbage and with government pressure to purchase, Napa cabbage was commonly incorporated into dumplings, mixed with bean curd, simmered into soups, served over rice, or coated in a sour sauce. As China's economy began to shift with more produce options became available in stores and markets, many households in northern China, especially in Beijing, began to turn to other vegetables as a source of nutrients and have grown tired of the overused variety.
Geography/History
Napa cabbage is native to China and was first documented in the Yangtze River Delta during the 14th century. As cabbage cultivation increased, the variety was introduced to neighboring countries such as Korea and Japan in the 1850s and later to the Americas in the late 1880s via Chinese immigrants. Today Napa cabbage is widely found through farmers markets, specialty grocers, and well-stocked supermarkets in Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and North, Central, and South America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Sets Kitchen and Bar | San Marcos CA | 970-390-2148 |
| Pizza Kaiju | San Diego CA | 619-240-2716 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-255-7373 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| Roppongi IB | Imperial Beach CA | 858-456-8018 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Culinary Kitchen Catering and Events | Coronado CA | 619-798-8477 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| The Bower | Coronado CA | 619-606-8424 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Paradisaea Dodo Bird | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe 1 | San Diego CA | 858-405-2401 |
| Bayside Landing | San Diego CA | 858-270-9200 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Raki Raki & Co. | San Diego CA | 858-573-2400 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| The Crack Shack PB | San Diego CA | 619-450-7978 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Fish Guts | San Diego CA | 619-888-0081 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Distribution Center) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Oliver & Rose | San Diego CA | 619-300-3395 |
| Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Nectarine Grove | Encinitas CA | 760-944-4525 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Extraordinary Desserts | San Diego CA | 619-294-2132 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| South O Brewing Catering | Oceanside CA | 925-381-5392 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| The Go Go Truck | San Diego CA | 401-837-1740 |
| The Bowl | San Diego CA | 619-813-5865 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Napa Cabbage. One
is easiest, three is harder.
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