Description
A delightful Korean stir-fried noodle dish made with sweet potato starch noodles, vibrant vegetables, and your choice of protein. Perfect for any occasion, Japchae is flavorful, colorful, and incredibly satisfying!
Ingredients
Scale
- 200g sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon)
- 150g beef (sirloin or tenderloin), thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 100g spinach leaves
- 6 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced (or any mushroom variety)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (plus extra for marinade)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (plus extra for cooking)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Noodles: Soak sweet potato starch noodles in warm water for 30 minutes. Boil in water for 5-6 minutes until chewy. Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with 1 tsp sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Marinate Beef: In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and minced garlic. Add sliced beef and let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Cook Spinach: Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds, then rinse under cold water. Squeeze out excess water and set aside.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large pan. Stir-fry carrots, onions, bell pepper, and mushrooms until tender-crisp, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Remove from the pan.
- Cook Protein: In the same pan, stir-fry marinated beef until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked noodles, stir-fried vegetables, spinach, and beef. Season with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil. Toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Avoid Overcooking the Noodles: Sweet potato starch noodles can become mushy if overcooked. Boil them just until tender, rinse with cold water immediately, and toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Balance the Flavors: Japchae is all about harmony. Taste as you go, adjusting the soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil to ensure a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors.
- Cook Ingredients Separately: To retain the vibrant colors and textures of the vegetables and proteins, stir-fry each ingredient separately before combining them. This ensures nothing is overcooked or soggy!
- Prep Time: 20 MIN
- Cook Time: 25 min