Asian Cabbage Slaw {Chinese Ramen Noodle Salad} makes the perfect light and refreshing salad. Best of all, it’s so easy to make with shredded cabbage mixed with rice vinegar, lime juice and herbs. You can make this a complete meal by tossing in any protein of your choice.
Asian Cabbage Slaw used to show up at our house almost weekly. There are tons of names for this popular potluck favorite. Chinese Ramen Noodle Salad, Asian Noodle Salad…Asian Ramen Noodle Salad.
No matter what you call it, it’s seriously delicious. It has the perfect balance of salty, sour, sweet and spicy.
My mom used to make this often when we were younger. This simple side dish was one of our favorites and goes perfect with just about any dish. The best part is, it comes together super quick and you can easily customize it with anything you like or have on hand.
Recipe for Asian Cabbage Slaw
The essential ingredients are shredded crispy cabbage, carrots, cucumbers and a sweet mango.
Throw in some shelled edamame, ramen noodles and sliced almonds for that nice crunch.
Mix everything together with the refreshing and flavorful Asian/citrus dressing and loaded with fresh herbs. It’s a great dish for using up some leftover protein – we had turkey the night before so that’s what I used but feel free to use what you like or have on hand.
See? Super easy to throw together. Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping it refrigerated. It’s best served cold but also tastes great at room temperature.
Shredded cabbage salads are awesome because they hold up well after being tossed with dressing.
How awesome would this be as a packed lunch for school or work? Or if you make a large batch over the weekend, you’ll have a prepared salad ready to grab for the next few days!

- 1/2 head of cabbage about 1/2 pound, shredded finely or a bag of coleslaw mix
- 1/4 cup red cabbage finely shredded
- 1 large carrot peeled and finely shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1 mango sliced thinly
- 1 cucumber peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 shallot or small red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup toasted nuts (almonds or peanuts) thinly sliced or chopped
- 1/2 package of crunchy ramen noodles broken into smaller pieces (seasoning packet discarded)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds optional for topping
- 3/4 pound leftover cooked turkey, shredded
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 Tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce tamari or fish sauce
- juice of 1/2 lime
- salt and pepper to taste
- **1 Thai chili seeded and finely chopped or 1 Tablespoon of garlic chili sauce (sambal oelek) - optional and can be omitted if serving to those that are sensitive to spicy foods
- Whisk all the ingredients for the dressing together into a medium bowl.
- Combine all the chopped vegetables together in a large bowl or container.
- Pour dressing over salad and mix well to cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days for the flavors to meld together.[
- Add turkey, chopped nuts, and ramen noodles tossing well to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Top with some toasted sesame seeds.
More salads:
Marion - Make This Dish -
Love this asian twist – this is just what I need after going overboard over the holidays haha. Happy New Year Kelly!
Eva @ Eva Bakes -
This looks so light and refreshing, Kelly. I bet some toasted seaweed on top would make it even better! 🙂
Kelly -
Yum, toasted seaweed sounds like a fantastic idea 🙂 Thanks Eva and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Katy -
It’s always sad to pack up and leave family, I totally get that feeling since I’ve always lived apart from my extended family. But you’re right, it always does feel nice to come home and get back into the swing of things, routines, etc. This salad is right up my alley, I love asian salads and I bet it would taste awesome with peanuts or some tempeh. Oh gosh, I just looked at the recipe again and saw you wrote cashews. YES. Pinned and I’m going to add this to my lunch rotation for school this term!
Kelly -
Thanks Katy 🙂 Yum, great idea, tempeh sounds awesome with this and thanks so much for pinning 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
marcie -
Ah,yes — this is exactly what I need after the holidays, Kelly! Nice and fresh, crunchy slaws are a favorite of mine, and this one sounds so packed with flavor and I love the colors. Pinning, and Happy Friday to you!
Kelly -
Thanks so much and for pinning Marcie 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs -
This is definitely the perfect meal to have after devouring an awfully big amount of cookies this holiday he he. It looks so fresh, crisp and delicious. And the dressing sounds awesome too. I love the Asian twist!
Have a lovely weekend! x
Kelly -
Thanks so much Consuelo 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend too sweetie! x
Traci -
This looks absolutely delicious. I am a big fan of Asian fare and this looks wonderful!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Traci 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com -
Oh my!!! Kelly, this looks so delicious!! Nurturing and tasty for the New Year! Thanks for the recipe and I hope that you have a lovely Friday!!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Cailee 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend sweetie!
[email protected] -
Hi Kelly, I’m putting this on my weekend menu. It looks so fresh and delicious… Have a great weekend!!!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Deb, hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Ashley -
I always feel the same way – I enjoy visiting my family but there is really no place like home. I love coming back to our house and being back to “normal.” Love the looks of this slaw Kelly – the dressing sounds delicious!
Kelly -
Hehe, totally agree – there’s no place like home 🙂 Thanks Ashley and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron -
The dressing on this slaw sounds really great Kelly! And I love the chopsticks in your photos, so cool! This dish sounds great, pinned! 🙂
Kelly -
Thanks so much Chelsea and for pinning 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend sweetie!
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker -
I love asian salads! They are just so full of flavor! This salad looks wonderful!! 😀
Kelly -
Thanks so much Layla 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Juliana -
Yes, this cabbage slaw with an Asian twist sounds and looks delicious, indeed very refreshing…
Happy New Year Kelly 😀
Kelly -
Thanks Juliana! Happy New Year to you as well and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods -
I love slaw and this sounds so good. I love that you have added some great texture and heat with the bell pepper and chili. Oh and the dressing sounds really tasty. Happy New Year!
Kelly -
Happy New Year Cindy! Thank you, glad you like it and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker -
I am feeling the need to eat lighter after all the holiday feasts! This slaw is just perfect and I love the textures and colors and oh boy the heat too for this cold winter day. Happy New Year!!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Zainab, glad you like it 🙂 Happy New Year sweetie and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
[email protected] -
I know your happy to be home Kelly! What a lovely salad so much color and a great way to get back into a healthy routine.. I am still struggling but I am slowly getting there..
Kelly -
Thanks so much Shundara 🙂 Hehe, don’t worry sweetie, I am slowly trying to get back too and haven’t given up on all treats 😉
Monica -
There’s definitely no place like home and your own kitchen! Glad you’re settling back in. This is definitely the type of salad I want right now. I love slaw with a ginger dressing, very similar to this. Thanks for the inspiration! I have to get on it!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Monica – hehe totally agree, I definitely missed my kitchen 🙂 Yum, a ginger dressing sounds awesome! Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor -
I love how this slaw looks so fresh and flavorful! Thanks for sharing, Kelly!
Kelly -
Thanks Ashley! Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
Julie @ This Gal Cooks -
Cilantro or mint leaves. Now that’s a tough decision as I love both! Guess I could always make it once with cilantro and once with mint, right? Thanks for sharing this recipe, Kelly! Pinned!
Kelly -
Hehe, sounds like a plan to me or you can even add both cilantro and mint if you really can’t choose between them 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning Julie and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend sweetie 🙂
Kathy -
Looks delicious! It is so nice to get back on track with healthy eating after the holidays! Pinning!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Kathy and for pinning 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Liz -
I know I’m glad to be home…at least for a few weeks. We finally put away most of our Christmas decor…and looking forward to getting back to normal. I love Asian salads…and yours looks perfect!
Kelly -
Hehe, we still need to put away our Christmas decor but looking forward to getting back to normal too 🙂 Thanks so much Liz and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen -
Asian Cabbage Salad is one of my very favorite salads EVER – but I always buy it packaged and have never made it. This post is changing all that! Pinning! Thanks for posting one of my most favorite things!
Kelly -
I’m so glad you like it and hope you give it a try 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning Kristi and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Amy Tong -
Happy New Year! Love your light and refreshing slaw! What a great start to 2014!
Kelly -
Thanks so much and Happy New Year Amy 🙂
Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen -
This looks delicious and a refreshing twist after all the heavy holiday foods. I like the sound of the citrus dressing. It’s also an inexpensive dish, for those of us looking to save money 2014. Love it!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Sherri, so glad you like this:) Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes -
This looks so refreshing but tasty! Lighter meals after Christmas dinners especially those with family are what I always end up craving.
Kelly -
Thanks so much Jessica 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Lawyer Loves Lunch -
I love the light and flavorful dressing on this slaw! It’s the perfect break after all of the holiday treats!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Azmina, so glad to hear you like this 🙂 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Allie | Baking a Moment -
I’m so glad to hear you had such a nice holiday season! And now you are home safe and sound. It does feel good to get back into our routines again. This salad is exactly what I want to eat, right now! I love all the flavors and colors. Beautiful!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Allie, it’s so nice to be home and we are still slowly easing back into our routines 🙂 Thanks sweetie, so glad you like this and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend! xo
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker -
I’ve been eating a lot of veggies too after the holidays. Too much sweets and heavy rich food that this slaw is a nice refreshing change. I would keep the Thai chili. It’ll give it that nice kick to the salad. 😀 Pinned! Enjoy what’s left of the weekend Kelly and I will see you (virtually) next week my dear friend. 😉
Kelly -
Hehe, yes, I definitely over indulged over the holidays so trying to add some lighter meals into our rotation 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning sweetie, hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend and have some time to relax sweetie! xo
Renee @Two in the Kitchen -
I am with you on needing to eat lighter, more balanced meals Kelly! I am so going to make this slaw! After the heavy meals I have been eating lately, this looks so refreshing!!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Renee – hehe I definitely had my fair share of heavy meals and sweet treats over the holidays 🙂 So glad you like this and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Emma -
Happy New Year 🙂 This looks like a lovely light meal, something much needed after all the rich food of the holidays. In a way I agree it is nice to get back to normality and to return home to a much healthier meal plan and like you said a cookie or a slice of cake occasionally never hurts 😀
Kelly -
Happy New Year Emma 🙂 Thanks so much sweetie! Hehe – so glad you to hear you agree about the occasional cookie and cake too 😉 Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend! xo
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl -
Happy New Year Kelly to you and your beautiful family! This recipe looks lovely, love all the fresh colors and I especially love that cilantro added in, I’m crazy about it right now!
Kelly -
Thanks so much sweetie, happy new year to you, Matthew and your adorable kitties! So glad you like this and hope you have a great week 🙂
Zoe -
Hi Kelly,
I like coleslaw and also like your non-creamy Asian version as it is equally flavorsome and totally less guilty to indulge.
Zoe
Kelly -
Thanks Zoe 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
[email protected] -
Happy New Year Kelly! I am definitely feeling like eating some lighter meals after all those holiday indulgences. Love how light and fresh this Asian slaw looks!
Kelly -
Happy New Year Christin! Hehe, same here, we are trying to lighten up a few of our meals to make up for all the treats we had over the holidays 🙂 Thank you and hope you have a great week!
Nami | Just One Cookbook -
Your dressing sounds excellent! I make both Western and Asian slaw, and kids always prefer Asian one maybe because they are used to Asian seasonings. This is a great refreshing salad. Looks really delicious!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Nami, I can imagine how tasty both of your slaws taste 🙂 Hope you have have a great week and Happy New Year!
Tamara Coleman -
Im making an asian slaw tomorrow night to go on top of my teriyaki tacos for Taco Tuesday! 🙂 It’s similar to yours! YUM!! 🙂
http://www.prettybitchescancooktoo.com
Kelly -
Yum, the teriyaki tacos sound awesome!:)
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats -
YUM! This dish sounds so light and healthy, love it Kelly! My mom use to make something like this, but I love all the veggies you have in yours. Pinning and can’t wait to try. Hope you’ve had a good start to 2014! 🙂
Kelly -
Yum, I can imagine the one your mom makes tastes fabulous too 🙂 Thanks so much for pinning Krista, yes we have had a good start to the year so far, it’s just been really cold but finally warming up – yay! Hope you have had a good start to 2014 so far too sweetie 🙂
Chastity @ My Rays of Sunshine -
I eat cabbage slaw everyday and I’m definitely adding your dressing to it! I’ve been using store bought dressing, but yours sounds delicious (and coming from you, I know it is)!
Have a wonderful 2014, Kelly! I always look forward to your posts!
Cheers!
Kelly -
Aaw, you’re always so so sweet Chastity 🙂 Same here, thank you so much and hope you and your family have a a wonderful 2014 too! Have a great weekend!
[email protected] -
This looks so light and refreshing, Kelly! What a delicious side dish!!
Kelly -
Thanks so much Cathy and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!