Japchae

A beautiful Korean stir-fried glass noodle dish with colorful vegetables, tender beef, and a sweet soy-sesame dressing. Japchae is a celebration dish that is equally delicious served warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 8 oz Korean sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
• ½ lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 4 oz fresh spinach
• 4 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Method

1. Cook the glass noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 6-7 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain, rinse with cold water, and cut with scissors into manageable lengths (about 6-8 inches). Toss with 1 tablespoon of the sauce soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sesame oil.
2. Marinate the beef slices with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp sugar for 10 minutes.
3. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain, squeeze out excess water, and season with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of sesame oil.
4. Stir-fry each vegetable separately in a bit of oil over high heat for 1-2 minutes until just tender: carrots first, then onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Season each lightly with salt. Set aside.
5. Stir-fry the marinated beef over high heat for 2-3 minutes until browned. Set aside with the vegetables.
6. In a large bowl or the same pan, combine the noodles, all the vegetables, beef, and remaining sauce (2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil). Toss gently but thoroughly.
7. Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Chef's note: The key to japchae is cooking each component separately so everything retains its color and texture. Sweet potato noodles have a wonderful chewy, bouncy texture unlike any other noodle. This dish is traditionally served at Korean celebrations and holidays.

Nutrition per serving

More Korean recipes

• Bibimbap
• Bulgogi
• Kimchi Jjigae
• Korean Fried Chicken