Easy Napa Gomaae (Napa Cabbage Sesame Salad)

If you love simple Japanese vegetable side dishes that come together in minutes, this Napa Gomaae is for you. Tender napa cabbage and sweet carrots are tossed in a nutty sesame dressing that’s lightly sweet and savory.

It’s the kind of humble side dish you’ll often find in Japanese home cooking — simple, seasonal, and incredibly comforting.

This napa gomaae pairs beautifully with grilled fish, karaage, teriyaki chicken, or even alongside a bowl of rice and miso soup. And the best part? You only need a handful of ingredients.

What is Gomaae?

“Gomaae” (ごま和え) means “sesame-dressed.” It’s a classic Japanese side dish where vegetables are mixed with a ground sesame dressing made from toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sugar.

While spinach gomaae is the most common version, napa cabbage works wonderfully because it becomes tender and slightly sweet when cooked — perfect for soaking up that nutty sesame flavor.

RECIPE

Servings: 3-4

Time: 15 min

Ingredients:

1/2 small napa cabbage
1 small carrot
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar

Instructions:

Prepare the Vegetables
Slice the napa cabbage and carrot into thin strips.
Try to keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
Lightly Cook
Add the sliced napa and carrot to a pot with 1/4 cup of water.
Cover with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat, until softened.
Drain and Squeeze
Drain the vegetables and let them cool slightly.
Once cool enough to handle, gently squeeze out the excess water.
*Removing excess moisture helps the sesame dressing coat the vegetables beautifully instead of becoming watery.
Make the Sesame Dressing
Grind the sesame seeds (using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder) until fragrant and slightly pasty.
In a bowl, combine ground sesame seeds, sugar, soy sauce, mix well.
Add the squeezed napa and carrot.
Toss until evenly coated.

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Tips for the Best Gomaae

Toast your sesame seeds first if they aren’t already toasted — it enhances the nutty flavor.
Don’t skip squeezing the water out — this makes a big difference in flavor concentration.
Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Some families prefer slightly sweeter gomaae.