Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Vegetables)

Making korean "JAPCHAE"

 

Known for its savory, sweet taste and variety of textures, japchae, a traditional Korean dish, is a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. Made with noodles and various vegetables, and often served with beef or mushrooms for a richer taste, japchae is an versatile dish served as a side dish, appetizer, or main course. In Korea, it is a dish that can be served on the table for birthdays and feasts.

Ingredients

• 200g (7 oz) sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon)
• 150g (5 oz) beef (sirloin or short ribs), thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cups blanched spinach
• 5 shiitake mushrooms, soaked and thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for cooking)
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 1 green onion, finely chopped (for garnish)

2. Cooking

Noodle preparation: Immerse sweet potato glass noodles in hot water for 20-30 minutes, then drain and store until soft and well cooked.
※ Tip: Cutting the noodles short with scissors makes it easy to take care of when cooking.

Cooking vegetables:

Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat, add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
For non-vegetarian versions, add sliced beef and cook until it is no longer pink.
In a pan, add the carrots, bell peppers, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and onion. Stir-fry these colorful vegetables until smooth and lively.
Season vegetables with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir-fry for 2-3 more minutes.

 

3. Mixing everything: Vegetables + noodles

Wet with cooked vegetables and place drained noodles in a pan.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of sesame oil over the noodles and vegetables and stir everything gently together. Make sure the noodles are evenly coated and heated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary by adding more soy sauce or sugar according to your preference.

 

 

Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have successfully created a mouth-watering Japchae dish that you can enjoy deliciously. Garnish Japchae with sesame seeds and minced green onions, further doubling the flavor and visual appeal. When enjoying Japchae, it is great with white rice, but with Gimbap, you can enjoy the taste even more. If you like Korean food or want to try something new, Japchae will suit your taste!