This is a copycat of a Japanese Slaw sold at a charcoal chicken chain called Chargrill Charlie’s here in Sydney. This slaw-like salad has a Japanese spin with a scattering of edamame, sesame-dressed wakame seaweed salad and a creamy soy dressing. The seaweed totally makes it!
Japanese Slaw – Chargrill Charlie’s copycat
This recipe was requested by a reader. I was happy to oblige because although I find the Chargrill Charlie’s chicken so-so, their salads are actually pretty good! In fact I’ve done another before, a copycat of their famous Green Bean Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing.
So this recipe is a copycat of the Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw, named as such because the base salad is made using finely shredded cabbage and carrots like western Coleslaw but with the addition of seaweed salad and edamame all tossed with a sesame soy dressing.
It is very good!
What goes in this Japanese Slaw
This salad is a direct copycat of the Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw, so the ingredients are what I spied and tasted, with the exception of green onion which I think adds much needed freshness.
What goes in the salad
Japanese seaweed salad – This is sliced strands of a type of wakame seaweed, dressed in a sweet sesame dressing. It’s somewhat slippery and has a unique texture unlike anything I can think of in Western cuisine. These days, it is often served as a small side dish at sushi bars and Japanese restaurants, and it’s become extremely popular – with good reason. It is addictive!! I literally cannot stop eating it.
It is sold already dressed at seafood shops (usually in small black trays, like pictured below), as well as Asian and Japanese grocery stores. I also understand it comes in frozen packets, though I’ve never bought it (I believe you can buy it at Costco?). It has a fridge shelf life of several weeks.
If you’re not a fan of seaweed salad, you’ll be missing a key element of this Japanese Slaw because the dressing on the seaweed salad actually forms part of the dressing for this whole salad. So really, don’t skip it!
Edamame – Also known as fresh soy beans. Buy them frozen, either in their pods or already shelled. Simply prepare per the packet (usually a 5 minute boil). It’s pretty common these days, even sold in the frozen vegetable aisle of large grocery stores here in Australia (Woolies, Coles etc).
Cabbage – Both green and red, because that’s what Chargrill Charlie’s use!
Carrot – Again, because Chargrill Charlie’s uses it.
Green onion – Chargrill Charlie’s does NOT use this! But I do, because I think it adds much needed freshness into the salad.
What you need for the Japanese Slaw dressing
And here’s what you need for the dressing. Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise is the optional extra touch here which gives the dressing an extra creamy element just like the one used by Chargrill Charlie’s.
Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise – This is purely optional so feel free to skip it if you are turned off by the inclusion of mayonnaise in the dressing! We only use 1 tablespoon, and I’ve included it because I am pretty sure Chargrill Charlie’s uses it to make the dressing just a wee bit creamier.
If you can’t find or don’t have Kewpie mayonnaise (but why not?? Everybody knows it’s the best mayonnaise around!) feel free to use ordinary mayonnaise (preferably whole egg) or simply skip it.
Rice vinegar – The acid in the dressing, for brightness.
Olive oil and sesame oil – Our oils. Sesame for flavour but olive oil as well to dilute the strength of using sesame alone.
Sugar – Because the Chargrill Charlie’s dressing is distinctly sweet. Mine is a bit less sweet than theirs.
Soy sauce – This is the salt in the dressing.
Wasabi paste – The Chargrill Charlie’s dressing definitely has a distinct bite to it! It’s not spicy, but rather a background warmth. You can wasabi paste in tubes at supermarkets and Asian/Japanese grocers. Wasabi is purely optional, so feel free to leave it out.
How to make Chargrill Charlie’s Japanese Slaw
Just shake up the dressing in a jar, put everything in a bowl and toss.
Yes, it’s that easy, and that’s why there’s no recipe video for this recipe! Though, as always, if you ask nicely in the comments section below, I’ll make this for lunch and film it for you!
What to serve with this Japanese Slaw
I personally find this salad has enough substance to it to be a meal. Well, let’s be more truthful: It’s good for a light(-ish) lunch. For dinner, it’s for those days when I’m trying to be “healthy”.
For a normal meal, I’d add a side of protein to fill it out. Here are some on-theme suggestions:
Enjoy! – Nagi x
PS. No video today as it’s a “easy salad day” where I’m sharing 3 fairly straightforward recipes: this salad, a Pear Salad with Blue Cheese (swoon!) and Roasted Large Mushrooms with Green Onion Thyme Butter. But if you really want a video for this one, just leave a comment below and I’ll do it when I get a chance!
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Japanese Slaw – Chargrill Charlie’s Copycat
Ingredients
Japanese Slaw:
- 5 cups (tightly packed) green cabbage , finely shredded (~1/2 medium head, Note 1)
- 2 cups (tightly packed) red cabbage , finely shredded (~1/4 small head, Note 1)
- 1 carrot (medium) , peeled and finely shredded (using a julienne shredder, or box grater, Note 2)
- 2 green onion stems , finely sliced on the diagonal
- 1 cup edamame , cooked per packet directions (Note 3)
- 2/3 cup Japanese seaweed salad , pre dressed (Note 4)
Dressing:
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (sub cider vinegar)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise (Note 5)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar (any type) or 1 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/2 – 1 1/2 tsp wasabi paste , adjust to taste (entirely optional) (Note 6)
Instructions
- Dressing: Shake Dressing ingredients in a jar until the mayonnaise is fully emulsified. Taste and add more sugar if you want.
- Toss with salad: Place cabbage, carrot, green onion, half the edamame and half the seaweed salad in a bowl. Add about 3/4 of the dressing, toss. (Seaweed will mostly stay in clumps).
- Wilt: Set aside for 15 minutes to let the cabbage wilt a bit.
- Serve: Toss again, then pile onto serving platter or bowl. Drape over remaining seaweed salad (in clumps) and edamame, drizzle with remaining Dressing. Serve!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Snuffle all you want. There are no crumbs for you!
. Looks delicious!!!!
Will definately try after lockdown is over!!!!!! well I hope
It will be soon – stay safe Kris! N x
Nagi, this looks amazing. I’m definitely making this tonight. Its not the same without a video…pretty please x
Hi, I just want to confirm the amounts for the dressing. It seems like there isn’t enough for the amount of cabbage. Thanks
Hi Fiona, while it seems like lots of cabbage, it will wilt and be coated nicely by the dressing 🙂 N x
Thanks Nagi, looking forward to tasting!
If I cant get the seaweed or endame will this be okay just over the cabbage, carrot and onion? I havent checked but its highly likely I may not be able to get the “exotic” ingredients in my wee town
It won’t be quite the same Ailsa, but still delicious! N x
Well then Ill give it a go. In the meantime though Ill check the stores for the exotic (Im not holding my breath😃). Thanks again for all the wonderful recipes.
This salad gets my vote. I love edamame and sesame, and learned to like the seaweed salad on its own. Looks delicious!!!
I’d love to know if you give this one a go Wendy, keep me updated! N x
Nagi, have you eaten cactus (nopales in Spanish). It is common in Latin cuisine and has a lemony flavor and ‘slippery’ texture. There’s a common salad we make with it as well. I’m going to try as a sub for the seaweed salad and let you know
I’d love to know how it goes Emma, I can’t imagine it would have the same flavour but would be a good sub! N x
Hello Nagi, I love the recipes that you share (the detail, the steps, the sidebars). I’ve been trying for years to copy the seaweed salad found in Japanese restaurants so I can make from home any time. Can you help?
Thanks in advance!
Something to add to my list Karin!! N x
Greetings from Washington D.C. – this salad is the winner! It’s easy and amazing – love the dressing!
Wahoo, that’s awesome Lisey, thanks so much for the great feedback! N x
Hi from NZ wishing you positive results Nagi 💕This salad sounds Devine 🤗
My 16 year old sons would love it,😋
They can’t get enough of your sticky honey soy chicken it is so delicious.Thanks very much you are so clever 💜
I love hearing this Daph! N x
This gets my vote. Love that emerald green wakame! I get it in a tub at Costco.
Perfect Vivian!!! N x
I’ve been searching for this wakame seaweed for months. I had some in a seafood place on the South Coast it tasted so fresh and delicious I didn’t know what it was at the time. I live in The Hawkesbury area and haven’t been able to find it. Don’t suppose Coles or Woolies sell it. Anyone know?
Molly, our Woolworths here sells it! N x
Ooh Thanks Nagi. There is hope! 😊
Wow wow love this fresh crunchy salad ! I would definitely eat it as a meal or with some teriyaki salmon. Nagi can I suggest a section where you show some of your fancy tools. Would love to know what the tool is you mentioned for the carrots.
Hi Kerry, take a look over here: https://www.recipetineats.com/recipetin-eats-essential-kitchenware/ N x
I would like that also.
Oh no! My fingers are crossed that you stay well. My Cavoodle’s ears are naturally crimped too. I think it adds to their handsomeness.
How cute Lynne!!!! N x
The Japanese coleslaw sounds delicious, I will definitely make it
I often have a Vietnamese coleslaw at a restaurant I go to
I hope you love it Wendy!!! N x
Hi, at my Westfield there is an Asian supermarket..and they sell frozen “everything Japanese”… including various types of seaweed salads. And are always better priced than leading supermarkets…🥰🤗
Yes, I find that the Asian shops often sell it much cheaper than major supermarkets! N x
Hey Nagi !! Am a big fan out here in Nairobi, Kenya.. what substitute can I use for Japanese seaweed salad.. an not sure if I will get it so easily here at the supermarkets.. though the biggest one here in Carrefour.. pls advise.. thanks !!
Hi Astha, there really is no sub for this – you can leave it out if you like but it really does make the salad! N x
Love this salad and get it from Charcoal Charlie’s often (I’m in Sydney). Great that you have replicated it beautifully. Thank you Nagi! Next…can you pleeeeease also copy their noodle salad? Thank you. And yes, we love your hands. And Mr Dozer
Nagi’s video hands are an on-going source of delight in our kitchen. “Just massage and marinade it like Nagi in the video”, I suggest.
“But my fingers aren’t right.”
No, I agree with him, they are not right. But you can do the job when you’re in town. It’s about adaptability, and making these treasured offerings our own.
And just play nice, honestly and authentically.
Thanks so much Jane – more to add to my long list of things 🙂 N x
Have never been anywhere near this particular food chain but point me to a salad containing edamame and seaweed and I’ll reach for the recipe. My on-line Coles is somewhere in SW Sydney so we shall see . . . ! Mayo is not at all ‘my thing’ but I know many favour the Japanese kewpie: perhaps they have small jars 🙂 !! Thanks !
Love to know if you try this one, I promise it’s not overly heavy on the mayo!! N x
I can see this is going to be a winner! I have dried wakame in my pantry but I have to admit I have no idea what to do with it….do I just soak it in water or won’t it work for this recipe?
Hi Mariette, no you’ll need the store-bought remade salad for this one 🙂 N x
You read my mind this week! I was just saying to my partner that I’d love to make more salads and lo and behold you have provided me with exactly the salads I was craving!
Wahoo!!! Enjoy Pammy! N x
This salad is so good! Made my day. Thank you.