Today I’m going to introduce you to a Steamed Napa Cabbage with Pork Belly, Korean hot pot style. This dish I used to eat a lot when I was losing 20 kg. It’s a low-carb, veggie-packed, high-protein Korean food for weight loss that’s both healthy and delicious.
Unlike traditional hot pot, this version is steamed instead of simmered in broth. But don’t worry. You don’t need a steamer! I’ll show you a quick and easy one-pan recipe for making this flavorful dish without any special equipment. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is Steamed Pork with Napa Cabbage, Korean Hot Pot?
This dish is similar to a traditional hot pot, but the main difference is that it’s made without broth. Napa cabbage, various vegetables, and pork belly are layered and steamed together. The best part? You can make it in just 20 minutes with minimal effort, making it a quick and healthy Korean meal. You don’t even need a steamer – today I’m going to show you how to easily make it in a pan.
Although not widely known abroad, this is actually a very common dish in Korean homes. Koreans, who value short cooking times, often prepare this as a home-cooked meal. Besides pork, you can also use beef, smoked duck, or even add mushrooms, onions, and other vegetables.Unlike stir-frying, it’s great for those on a diet because it’s light and healthy.
This steaming method, which uses the moisture from the vegetables and steam, makes the pork incredibly tender and juicy. Because it doesn’t require heavy seasoning, it’s a natural, healthy dish that’s great for anyone looking for a healthy meal.
Super Easy One-Pan Recipe
No steamer? No worries! I’ve got you covered with a one-pan recipe that doesn’t require a steamer.
In this recipe, you layer the vegetables and meat in the pan and steam with the moisture from the vegetables. It’s super easy and quick to make. Just be sure to follow the heat control tips in the recipe below to avoid burning-adjust the heat as needed!
How Long to Steam Napa Cabbage?
For a crunchy texture, steam the cabbage for about 10 minutes. For a softer texture, steam for about 15 minutes. Since today’s recipe is a steaming method that uses the moisture from the vegetables over low heat, you can steam it for 15 to 20 minutes-15 minutes for a crispier texture and 20 minutes for a softer texture. I steamed mine for 20 minutes.
Korean Food for Weight Loss
While Koreans often eat more Western-style foods like salads during a diet, I want to share the best Korean weight loss foods I ate when I lost 20kg.
Steamed Napa Cabbage with Pork Belly: The dish we’re making today. It’s incredibly easy and quick – just 15 to 20 minutes to prepare! It’s also steamed without heavy seasoning, making it a naturally healthy food that’s great for weight loss.
Tofu Kimchi: Tofu is one of the best protein-rich foods for dieters. It’s delicious on its own with a little soy sauce and sesame oil, but it’s even better when combined with kimchi. Stir-fried kimchi in particular complements it perfectly. This tofu kimchi recipe is perfect for meat lovers.
Shabu Shabu (Korean Hot Pot): While today’s recipe is a steamed vegetable and meat dish, shabu shabu is a dish in which vegetables and meat are cooked in a broth. It’s low in carbohydrates and packed with protein and vegetables, making it a healthy Korean diet food that provides balanced nutrients.
Perfect Dish for Weight Loss
- Napa cabbage and pork belly are low in carbohydrates and rich in protein and fiber, making them ideal for a low-carb diet.
- Low Calories in Napa Cabbage: Only 13 kcal per 100g, making it an ultra-low-calorie vegetable.
- Although pork belly is high in fat, this dish doesn’t require additional oil, making it much healthier. If you prefer leaner meat, you can easily substitute it with a different cut.
- This is the perfect dish for those who don’t want to give up meat while losing weight but still want a healthy meal.
Secret Dipping Sauce (Game Changer!)
The secret dipping sauce I’ll share with you today is a sweet and tangy soy sauce that enhances the mild flavors of pork belly and Napa cabbage. The addition of wasabi adds a slightly spicy kick that cuts through the richness of the pork belly and creates the perfect balance.
How to Avoid Failing This Dish
- The key to this steaming method is not opening the lid while cooking. Unlike boiling, the steam naturally released from the vegetables cooks the ingredients.
- Keep the heat on medium-low to prevent burning. If you smell burning, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and lower the heat even further.
How to Make It Even Healthier
- Switch to leaner meats: f you want to reduce the fat content, use leaner cuts such as pork shoulder or pork loin. You can also use lean beef or duck for a different flavor.
- Add more vegetables: Increase the nutritional value by adding mushrooms, onions, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, or any other vegetable you like.
- Skip the sauce: If you want an even cleaner, lower-sodium meal, you can skip the sauce altogether. Just season it lightly with olive oil, salt and black pepper. But honestly, I don’t want to miss out on the sauce’s happiness, haha.
Ingredient Substitutions: Easy Alternatives for Every Kitchen
Can’t find a specific ingredient? No worries! Here are some easy substitutions.
Meat Alternatives
- 1cm Thick Pork Belly – In Korea, thinly sliced pork belly is typically used for this dish, but outside of Korea, it’s not always easy to find 1mm-thick cuts. Instead, you can use 1 cm thick pork belly, which actually results in a juicier and more flavorful texture.
- Pork Shoulder – A leaner, healthier option with a mild and clean flavor. Pork Butt – Tender and juicy, with less fat than pork belly.
- Beef (Brisket or Short Rib) – A great alternative for those looking for a halal or pork-free version.
- Smoked Duck – In Korea, this dish is often made with smoked duck, which adds a rich, smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with steamed Napa cabbage.
Napa Cabbage Alternatives
- Regular Cabbage – When steamed, it becomes sweet and tender, making it a fantastic substitute for Napa cabbage. Many Koreans also use regular cabbage in similar dishes.
- Bok Choy – Crisp and light, perfect for a low-calorie, healthy option. However, it must be steamed for a much shorter time than Napa cabbage to maintain its crispness.
Korean Soju for Cooking Alternatives
- White Wine – Helps remove any gamey smell from the meat (dry wine recommended).
- Mirin or Cooking Sake – Adds a slight sweetness but works similarly to soju.
Wasabi Alternatives
- Horseradish – Has a similar sharp, pungent kick, making it a great substitute for wasabi in the dipping sauce.
- Dijon Mustard – Creates a smooth and slightly spicy sauce that works as a milder alternative to wasabi.
- Skip It – If you don’t have wasabi, you can still enjoy the dish without it. But I really want you to experience that special wasabi magic!
Get Ingredients
- Wok: For steaming in a pan, you’ll need a wide and deep wok.
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- Korean Soy Sauce (Yangjo Ganjang)
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- Plum Syrup
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- Cooking wine (mirin or matsul)
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- Wasabi
- Sesame Seeds
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-20kg Weight Loss Steamed Cabbage with Pork Belly, Korean Hot Pot
Equipment
- 1 wok (wide and deep pan)
- 1 a lid for the wok (essential)
- 1 Knife & cutting board
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Tongs
Ingredients
- 150 g pork belly
- 1/4 head napa cabbage
- 1 stalk green onion
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp soju (cooking wine works as well)
Pork Seasoning
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 turns black pepper
- 1 tbsp soju (cooking wine or white wine works too)
Soy Sauce Dressing
- 2 tbsp soy sauce yangjo ganjang
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp matsul (optional, you can add water)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp wasabi
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 small chili peppers (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the pork belly into 3cm pieces. Season the pork belly with salt and black pepper, then mix with 3 tbsp of soju.
- Cut the baby Napa cabbage into 3cm-long pieces.
- Cut the green onion into large 4–5cm pieces.
Make the special dipping sauce
- Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp wasabi, and 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional) in a bowl. Add 2 small chili peppers (optional garnish) and mix well.
Layer the ingredients in a pot
- Spread the cabbage evenly on the bottom, placing the thicker stems at the base.
- Layer the green onions on top of the cabbage and place the pork belly on top.
Steam
- Add 4 tbsp water + 2 tbsp soju to the pot.
- Cover with a lid and steam over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- If you smell burning, add 2–3 extra spoonfuls of water and lower the heat. Avoid opening the lid too often, as the dish cooks by steaming.
- After 15 minutes, add mung bean sprouts to the center.
- To keep the sprouts crunchy, steam for only 7–10 more minutes.
Steamed Cabbage with Pork Belly 삼겹살 배추찜
- Jal meokgetseumnida! 잘 먹겠습니다!
- Dip the tender pork and vegetables into the tangy sweet soy sauce for an amazing flavor.
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @blondekimchi_ on Instagram and hashtag it #blondekimchi.