Colorful Vegetable and Chewy Noodle Harmony: The Star of Festive Meals, ‘Japchae’
Colorful Vegetable and Chewy Noodle Harmony: The Star of Festive Meals, ‘Japchae’
A Birthday Feast Staple! A Simple and Delicious Japchae Recipe You Can Make at Home
Japchae is an indispensable dish for a special birthday meal prepared with love for a significant other. Experience the delight of making this visually stunning and flavorful noodle dish, featuring a vibrant array of vegetables and satisfyingly chewy noodles, right in your own kitchen!
Main Ingredients- Glass noodles (Dangmyeon) for 3 servings
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 medium carrot
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1 handful dried wood ear mushrooms (shiitake)
Seasoning & Others- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A little cooking oil
- A little salt
- A little black pepper
- A little water
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A little cooking oil
- A little salt
- A little black pepper
- A little water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables that will add vibrant colors to your Japchae. Wash the onion, carrot, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper, remove any seeds, and thinly slice them into strips about 0.5 cm thick. Slicing them this way makes them look more appealing when stir-fried.
Step 2
Next, prepare the wood ear mushrooms and glass noodles, which are key for Japchae’s texture. Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes until fully rehydrated. Once rehydrated, trim the tough stems, rinse thoroughly, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Soak the glass noodles in water as well.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to stir-fry each vegetable individually to enhance their flavors. For the onion, heat a little cooking oil in a frying pan. Add the sliced onions and a tiny pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning. Sauté until the onions become translucent. (Tip: If you’re using only one pan, start with the onion since it doesn’t change color much. This way, you can avoid washing the pan before cooking other vegetables.)
Step 4
Similarly, add the carrots to the pan, season with a little salt and pepper, and stir-fry. Be careful not to overcook the carrots; stir-fry them just enough to retain a slight crispness.
Step 5
Stir-fry the colorful bell peppers using the same method. Since the vibrant colors of bell peppers are essential, stir-fry them over high heat for a short time to keep their colors bright and maintain their crisp texture. Overcooking will dull their color and make them mushy, so be mindful of the cooking time!
Step 6
These beautifully stir-fried vegetables, with their diverse colors, are now ready to be assembled. Arranging them to the side, you’ll see that the preparation for your visually appealing Japchae is almost complete. The key is to stir-fry each vegetable to highlight its individual characteristics.
Step 7
For the rehydrated and prepared wood ear mushrooms, lightly season them by tossing with about 1/2 Tbsp mirin (optional), 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, and a little sesame oil. This step will enhance the mushroom’s flavor and enrich the overall taste of the Japchae.
Step 8
Now, let’s create the special sauce that defines the flavor of Japchae. In a frying pan, combine 7 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 4 Tbsp sugar. Add a small amount of water (about 2-3 Tbsp) to help the ingredients meld together and simmer gently.
Step 9
It’s time to cook the star of Japchae: the glass noodles. Add the soaked glass noodles to boiling water and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they become transparent and chewy. Immediately rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly in a colander. Once the sauce mixture begins to simmer, add the cooked noodles and all the prepared stir-fried vegetables. Stir-fry over high heat until the sauce evenly coats everything.
Step 10
Finally, add the seasoned wood ear mushrooms and quickly toss everything together. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle with the remaining 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds to finish. Give it a final quick stir to ensure all ingredients are well combined with the sauce. Your delicious Japchae is ready! It’s best enjoyed warm.
