Japanese Slaw - Chargrill Charlie's Copycat

1. Cabbage measurement – By “tightly packed”, I mean you stuff the cabbage into cup measures then pack it down tightly. That is 1 tightly packed cup. When you tip it into the bowl, it will seemingly double in volume.

2. Carrot shredding – I use a shredder tool that creates really thin strands, it cost a pittance from an Asian store. The finer the strands, the better. Fallback: Standard box grater.

3. Edamame – The fresh beans of young soybeans, easily found these days in the freezer section of everyday grocery stores alongside peas! Cook per packet directions.

4. Japanese Seaweed Salad – Sold pre-dressed in a delicious sweet sesame dressing which forms part of the overall flavour of this dish. Find it at fresh seafood stores, and Asian or Japanese grocery stores. Also sold frozen, such as at Costco.

5. Kewpie mayonnaise – A popular Japanese mayonnaise easily found these days in the Asian section of grocery stores. Famed for its smooth flavour and gentle rice vinegar tang! Sub with any mayo. It makes the dressing extra creamy, like you get at Chargrill Charlie’s. Feel free to skip it (no sub needed).

6. Wasabi paste – The Chargrill Charlie’s salad has a distinct kick to it which can only be wasabi! Sold in tubes in the Asian section of grocery stores, fairly accessible these days. Just use as much or as little as you want. I use 1 1/2 tsp of tube paste. If you have fresh wasabi, a) I want to be you; b) use 1/2 tsp (fresh is much stronger than store bought paste).