Crunchy Asian Slaw with Ramen: A 30-Minute Potluck Winner

Transform ordinary cabbage into an extraordinary side dish with this crunchy Asian Slaw recipe. This unexpected combination of fresh Napa cabbage and toasted ramen noodles creates a bright, crunchy, and bursting-with-flavor salad. With just 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, you can prepare this crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners, this Asian-inspired slaw offers a refreshing alternative to traditional mayo-based coleslaw while still delivering that satisfying crunch everyone loves.

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Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this Asian slaw lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The ramen noodles, when toasted in butter, develop a nutty flavor that complements the crisp cabbage perfectly. The dressing combines acidic, sweet, and savory elements that penetrate the vegetables without making them soggy. Toasting the noodles helps them maintain their crunch even when mixed with the dressing, solving the common problem of soggy slaws. Combining these simple ingredients creates a complex flavor profile that tastes like it took hours to develop, making this the perfect dish for busy cooks who don’t want to sacrifice flavor for convenience.

Ingredients for This Asian Slaw Recipe

The pleasing crunch in this Asian cole slaw is because of ramen noodles and almond slivers. Here’s what you need:

For the Slaw:

• Napa cabbage – Provides the crisp foundation with a milder, sweeter flavor than regular cabbage
• Green onions – Adds a mild, fresh onion flavor without overpowering the dish
• Ramen noodles – Creates the signature crunch and absorbs the flavorful dressing
• Slivered almonds – Contributes nutty flavor and additional texture contrast
• Butter – Helps toast the noodles and adds rich flavor

For the Dressing:

• Red wine vinegar – Provides the tangy acid base for the dressing
• Vegetable oil – Balances the acidity and helps coat ingredients evenly
• Granulated sugar – Balances the acidity with the necessary sweetness
• Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth and umami flavor to the dressing
• Ground ginger – Provides warm, spicy notes characteristic of Asian cuisine
• Dry mustard – Adds subtle heat and helps emulsify the dressing
• Salt and pepper – Enhances and balances all other flavors

How to Cut Cabbage for Slaw

1. Using a sharp knife, slice a head of cabbage in half, then cut each half so you have quarters.
2. Cut away the cabbage core in a triangular shape.
3. Slice in quarter-inch pieces by going from right to left on a cutting board. If you are left-handed, move in the opposite direction.
4. You can use a food processor or a mandolin, but slicing with a sharp knife is quick, and clean-up is easier.

How to Make Asian Slaw

1. Slice the cabbage into 1/4 inch slices and slice the green onion tops.
2. Toast the ramen noodles in melted butter.
3. Add the noodles and the almonds to the salad and toss well.
4. Combine the dressing ingredients and whisk thoroughly.
5. Add the dressing to the salad and toss. 

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Since you only use the green part of the onion, set aside the white portion for another recipe.
• When mixing the dressing, try using a dressing shaker or mason jar. This makes mixing the ingredients so much easier. You can shake it until combined and store it in the container when you are done.
• It helps to smash the noodles while in the package.
• If you don’t cook the ramen, the dressing will soften them just a tad. But sauteing the noodles in butter adds a little flavor and also helps seal the noodles so they don’t soften too quickly.
• Use ginger paste in a tube.
• If you are making this ahead, it’s best to keep the ramen separate and toss it in just before serving to preserve crunch.

Add-Ins and Substitutes for Asian Cabbage Slaw

This is a basic slaw recipe that can be used as a foundation for your creations. Here are some ideas:

• If short on time, you could opt for one of those pre-shredded gourmet slaw mixes.
• Use green cabbage instead of Napa cabbage.
• If you want to avoid the sugar calories, substitute Equal or Splenda for the sugar. 
• You might like to add a tablespoon soy sauce to the dressing.
• This Asian slaw recipe is also the perfect way to take care of all those leftover vegetables in the fridge – that remaining cabbage half, red cabbage, the stray parsnip or carrot, or the leftover green or red bell pepper.
• Add turnips, kohlrabi, jicama, radishes… pretty much anything crunchy!
• As an optional topper, you could use toasted sesame seeds or peanuts.
• Add some water chestnuts or a little sweetness with mandarin oranges.
• If you like a bit of spice in your Asian-style salad, add some chopped chilis.
• Add fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley.
• Use fried wonton strips instead of the noodles.

What Goes With Asian Slaw

This easy Asian slaw with Napa cabbage pairs perfectly with any prepared Asian chicken, fish, pork, or tofu dish.

It’s a great Asian-style slaw to stuff into tacos, use as a burger topping, add to Buddha bowls, or serve with chicken satay skewers.

Make a main course Asian chicken salad by adding some shredded chicken.

How to Store This Simple Asian Slaw

• For the crunchiest slaw, store the cabbage mixture, dressing, and toasted noodle/almond mixture separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Combine components just before serving for maximum crunch
• If storing already-dressed slaw, it will remain good in the refrigerator for 1-2 days but will gradually lose its crunch

Crunchy Asian Slaw with Buttered Ramen Noodles

Fresh Napa cabbage combined with buttery toasted ramen noodles and almonds, dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for the perfect make-ahead potluck side dish.

5 from 8 votes

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Asian Slaw

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 200kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

Salad

• 2 pounds Napa cabbage
• 2 cups sliced green onions (2 bunches)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 packages Ramen noodles crumbled into pieces
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Dressing

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Salad

• Slice the napa cabbage into 1/4 inch slices. If the pieces are too large, you may want to roughly chop the cabbage again.
• Place the cabbage into your largest mixing bowl along with the green onions.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
• Add the ramen noodles to saucepan and cook until they are toasted but not burnt. Watch them closely, as it only takes a few seconds for the noodles to burn after they are toasted.
• Add the toasted ramen noodles and slivered almonds to salad and toss.

Dressing

• Combine the sugar, vinegar, ground ginger, dry mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, and vegetable oil in a medium-sized bowl or a shaker bottle.
• Season with salt and pepper, and shake or whisk thoroughly. It may seem like the sugar won’t dissolve, but it will.
• Once the sugar has completely dissolved, pour the dressing over the slaw and mix well.

Notes

• If you want to substitute the sugar, you can try Equal or Splenda to avoid the sugar calories.
• Since you are only using the green part of the onion, set aside the white side for another recipe.
• When mixing the dressing, try using a dressing shaker.  This makes mixing the ingredients so much easier and you can store it in the container when you are done.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 17.9mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Love Slaw? Try These Recipes!

• Homemade Coleslaw
• KFC Coleslaw
• Oriental Coleslaw
• Pineapple Coleslaw
• Sweet and Sour Coleslaw

Favorite Salad Side Dish Recipes

• Ambrosia Fruit Salad
• Betty Crocker Pasta Salad
• Grape Salad
• Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
• Orange Fluff Jello Salad
• Sauerkraut Salad
• Thai Noodle Salad
• Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad

Check out my easy salad recipes and the best side dish recipes here on CopyKat!