2 very large bowls
1 large head napa cabbage, about 2 ½ to 3 lbs.
1/4 cup (4 tbsp) kosher or sea salt
1 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sweet rice flour (also called mochiko flour, or chapssal garu) (optional, see below)*
1/2 cup pureed or minced garlic
1 tbsp pureed or minced ginger
1/2 cup pureed or minced onion
1/2 cup fish sauce
1 1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean hot pepper powder), or more or less depending on your spice preference
4-5 green onions, sliced into two-inch pieces
1/4 cup julienned carrot (optional)
1-2 leeks, sliced into two-inch pieces (optional)