-
Make the dressing: Slice the ginger lengthwise as thinly as you can, then slice it into thin strips and transfer to a small bowl.
-
In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir the sugar in the vinegar and 2 tablespoons water until dissolved. Add the vinegar mixture to the bowl of ginger and let cool to room temperature.
-
In another small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the ginger pickling liquid with the oil, lime juice, fish sauce, and pepper flakes. Adjust the seasoning with more fish sauce, salt, or lime juice, if desired. Add all the pickled ginger, reserving its pickling liquid for another use.
-
Make the salad: In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring often and lowering the heat if it starts to darken too quickly, until the garlic is evenly golden but not quite brown, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl or a plate and season with a pinch of salt.
-
Wipe out the same skillet and add the chickpea flour. Toast the flour over medium heat, stirring often with a rubber spatula, until it starts to darken and smell aromatic, about 1 minute. Scrape into a small bowl.
-
To assemble the salad, mix the lettuce and cabbage in a bowl and sprinkle with the cilantro, fried garlic, and toasted chickpea flour. Sprinkle the peanuts and jalapeño over the salad. Stir the dressing well, drizzle over the salad, toss, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges.