Addictive Cabbage Salad 

This Japanese‑style izakaya cabbage salad—also called Yamitsuki or shio‑kyabetsu—is a super simple yet irresistibly flavorful side dish. Made in roughly 10 minutes, it combines crisp green cabbage with a savory garlic‑sesame dressing enhanced by bouillon and a hint of sweetness. It’s perfect for pairing with grilled meats or enjoying solo as a snack you’ll keep coming back to. A handful of pantry staples transforms humble cabbage into a snackable, umami-rich dish that’s both light and addictive. 

Ingredients

• 1 lb (≈450 g) green cabbage, finely sliced or chopped
  
  

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and grated
  
  

• 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
  
  

• 1 tsp brown sugar
  
  

• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
  
  

• 1 cube chicken or vegetable bouillon, finely crumbled
  
  

• 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  
  

• Optional: 2 pinches cayenne pepper
  
  

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  
  

Directions

1. Finely slice or chop the cabbage and place it in a large bowl.
   
   

2. In a small bowl, whisk together grated garlic, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and crumbled bouillon until smooth.
   
   

3. Pour the dressing over the cabbage.
   
   

4. Add sesame seeds, optional cayenne, salt, and pepper. Toss thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the cabbage is evenly coated.
   
   

5. Serve immediately—this salad is best fresh.
   
   

Nutrients

(Approximate per serving, makes ~4 servings)

• Calories: ~100 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~2 g
  
  

• Fat: ~6 g (mostly from sesame oil and seeds)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~8 g (with ~1 g sugar from the cabbage and brown sugar)
  
  

• Fiber: ~2 g