Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe

I absolutely love making and sharing this Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe because it’s that perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, tangy, and fresh that keeps me coming back for more. The combination of crisp cabbage and vibrant greens with sweet mango and crunchy wonton strips creates a dish that feels light yet satisfying, bursting with flavor in every bite. It’s one of those dishes I’m excited to serve whether it’s a casual lunch, a festive gathering, or a refreshing weeknight dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe

When I first made this Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe, what blew me away was the amazing mix of textures and flavors. The crispy wontons are golden and crunchy, adding a delightful contrast to the tender greens and sweet mango cubes. The dressing is perfectly balanced—with toasted sesame oil giving it a rich, nutty depth, while the honey and rice vinegar add the ideal touch of sweetness and tang. It’s honestly like a party in my mouth every time I eat it.

Besides the flavor, I appreciate how easy this salad is to prepare. Most of the ingredients are fresh, simple, and require minimal prep time, but the impact on the taste is huge. I find it perfect to whip up for family dinners, picnics, or even when I want to impress friends without spending hours in the kitchen. What really makes it stand out is that amazing crispy wonton topping, which is easy to make but feels so special and restaurant-quality.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows several clear glass bowls each holding different colorful ingredients on a white marbled surface. Starting from the top left, there is a bowl filled with bright orange chunks of mango. Next to it are three lime halves showing their pale green insides. To the right, another bowl holds thin orange carrot sticks. Below the mango bowl is a wooden bowl with pieces of light brown cooked chicken. In the middle of the image, a bowl contains bright green chopped spring onions, next to it is a bowl full of shiny green edamame beans. Below those, a bowl holds sliced red bell peppers in strips. On the bottom left, two small round dishes have chopped green herbs, and to the right at the bottom, a large wooden bowl is filled with mixed leafy greens including lettuce and shredded cabbage. Part of a plate with crispy golden brown snack pieces is also visible on the left. The setting is neat and bright. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients here are simple but crucial to delivering the vibrant flavors and textures that make this salad pop. Each one plays a special role, whether it’s the creamy mango adding a burst of sweetness or the toasted sesame oil bringing warmth to the dressing.

30 wonton wrappers, thinly sliced into strips: These create the crispy crunchy topping that makes this salad irresistible.
Avocado oil, for frying and salad: A neutral oil perfect for frying wontons and combining in the dressing for a clean finish.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors.
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic flavor that’s signature to this salad’s dressing.
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar: Brings a gentle tang that balances the richness.
3-4 tablespoons honey: For that perfect touch of natural sweetness.
2 tablespoons coconut aminos: A flavorful, slightly sweet soy sauce alternative that brightens the dressing.
2 large cloves garlic, minced: Adds a punch of savory depth.
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Gives a subtle warmth and spice to complement the flavors.
Fresh cracked pepper: To taste, for a little kick and fresh seasoning.
1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced: The crunchy green base of the salad.
2-3 cups mixed salad greens: Like romaine, butter lettuce, or spinach, for freshness and color.
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced: Adds sweetness and a vibrant pop of red.
2/3 cup julienned carrots: For additional crunch and a splash of bright orange.
1 cup edamame: Adds protein, texture, and a lovely green color.
2 Ataulfo mangoes, cubed: The star of sweetness and tropical flavor.
Fresh herbs (green onions, cilantro, and mint): Bring freshness and a burst of fragrant flavor.
Protein of choice: Rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, crispy tofu, or extra edamame make this salad a complete meal.
Limes, for squeezing: To brighten everything with fresh citrus zing.
Optional but highly recommended additions: Avocado, cucumbers, mandarin oranges, or purple cabbage for extra layers of flavor and texture.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the crispy wontons by heating several tablespoons of avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure your wonton strips are separated and not sticking together before adding them to the hot oil.

Step 2: Fry the wonton strips in batches, avoiding crowding the pan, cooking each batch for about 60-90 seconds per side until they’re golden and crispy. Use a spider whisk or slotted spoon to transfer them onto a paper towel-lined plate immediately to drain excess oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt while still warm.

Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients—1/4 cup avocado oil, 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar, 3-4 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons coconut aminos, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and fresh cracked pepper to taste—until well combined and smooth.

Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced green cabbage, mixed salad greens, and fresh cilantro. Toss them together gently to blend all the greens evenly.

Step 5: Layer on the edamame, sliced red bell pepper, julienned carrots, cubed mango, chopped green onions, fresh mint, and your choice of protein (rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, crispy tofu, or extra edamame). Then add the freshly fried wonton strips on top.

Step 6: Drizzle the salad with the prepared dressing and give everything a good toss. Right before serving, squeeze fresh lime over the top to add that extra zing. Then dig in and enjoy the vibrant textures and flavors!

Servings and Timing

This Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe yields about 4 generous servings, making it perfect for a small family meal or a light dinner with friends. The prep time is roughly 15 minutes, mostly for slicing and chopping fresh ingredients, while frying the wonton strips and whisking the dressing takes another 10-15 minutes. Overall, you’re looking at around 30 minutes from start to finish, which is great for busy weeknights or when you want a fresh, quick meal. There’s no resting or cooling time needed since the salad is best enjoyed immediately to keep the wontons crispy and fresh.

How to Serve This Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe

A white bowl filled with a colorful salad, layered with green leafy lettuce at the bottom, topped with strips of red bell pepper and thin cucumber slices. There are orange carrot sticks and chunks of light brown grilled chicken spread throughout. Crushed peanuts and crispy golden strips are scattered on top along with fresh green herbs like cilantro and mint leaves. The salad is drizzled with a creamy light brown dressing. A fork rests inside the bowl, and the bowl is placed on a white marbled surface next to an orange cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

I love serving this salad chilled or at room temperature, allowing the flavors to meld while keeping the wontons crispy. It works beautifully as a standalone meal because of the vibrant protein and variety of veggies, but it also pairs wonderfully with lighter Asian-inspired sides like steamed jasmine rice or miso soup for a fuller spread.

For garnishing, I like to sprinkle extra fresh herbs—more cilantro, mint, and a few thinly sliced green onions on top for a fresh finish. A wedge of lime on the side adds a burst of freshness that guests can squeeze as desired. If you want to get creative, adding avocado slices or mandarin orange segments provides lovely complementary flavors and brightens the presentation.

This salad is a total crowd-pleaser for casual family dinners, summer parties, or potlucks because it’s colorful, fresh, and offers a satisfying crunch. For drinks, a crisp dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing gin and tonic pairs beautifully. Non-alcoholic options like iced green tea with a splash of lemon keep the meal light and thirst-quenching. I usually plate this salad in medium-size bowls or on wide plates to showcase all the layered colors and textures, serving portions that feel generous but not overwhelming.

Variations

I always enjoy experimenting with this salad because it adapts so well to different tastes and dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, simply swap out the wonton wrappers for gluten-free wonton skins or crispy fried rice noodles to keep the crunch. Vegan friends can skip the chicken or shrimp and rely on crispy tofu or even extra edamame for plant-based protein.

Want to tweak the flavors? Try adding a splash of freshly grated ginger to the dressing for extra zing, or swap honey for maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness. You could also experiment with different citrus juices in place of lime—like lemon or yuzu—to change the profile subtly but beautifully.

While frying the wontons is my go-to for that perfect crispness, you could bake them lightly brushed with oil for a slightly healthier crunch, just watching carefully so they don’t dry out or burn. Or for a fully cooked twist, toss everything but the wontons in a warm skillet just before serving to soften some vegetables and bring out their sweetness. The possibilities are endless, and I love making the recipe my own every time!

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, I recommend storing the salad and crispy wontons separately to keep the crunch intact. Place the salad in an airtight container in the fridge; it will stay fresh for 2-3 days. Store the wonton strips in a paper towel-lined container or zip-top bag at room temperature to avoid sogginess. Adding fresh lime and dressing right before serving leftovers makes all the difference in reviving the flavors.

Freezing

I don’t suggest freezing this salad because the fresh vegetables and wontons lose their texture once frozen and thawed. The crispness of the cabbage and wontons is central to this dish’s enjoyment, so freezing would compromise that delightful contrast.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy this salad warm, I recommend reheating the protein separately—like grilled shrimp or chicken—and tossing it into the cold salad base just before serving. Avoid reheating the entire salad in the microwave, as the wilting greens and soggy wontons won’t be pleasant. Instead, to refresh the wontons, you can quickly crisp them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a minute or two before adding them back on top.

FAQs

Can I make the crispy wontons ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can fry the wonton strips a few hours in advance and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure to sprinkle on salt right after frying. Avoid refrigerating them to maintain their crisp texture.

What can I use instead of coconut aminos?

If you don’t have coconut aminos, light soy sauce or tamari is a great substitute. They both offer that savory, slightly sweet depth, but tamari is better if you want gluten-free. Just adjust the salt accordingly as these can be saltier than coconut aminos.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Yes, but I recommend prepping all the ingredients separately and combining them right before eating to keep the wontons crispy and the greens fresh. Store the dressing on the side and toss just before serving for the best experience.

Can I use other greens besides cabbage?

Definitely! While green cabbage lends a great crunch, you can add or substitute with Napa cabbage, kale, or even thinly sliced Brussels sprouts. Just be mindful that tougher greens may need to be massaged or warmed slightly to soften.

How spicy is this salad?

This recipe isn’t spicy by default, but I love adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil to the dressing for a little heat. You can easily adjust the spice to your preference without changing the recipe’s core flavors.

Conclusion

I can’t wait for you to try this Asian Cabbage Salad with Crispy Wontons Recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels exciting yet comforting every time. The bright, fresh ingredients combined with the irresistible crunch of those crispy wontons make it a salad that truly pops with flavor and texture. Whether you’re feeding family or friends, or just treating yourself to a delicious meal, I promise this recipe will become a favorite in your collection just like it is in mine.