Special Holiday Japchae
Special Holiday Japchae
NO47: Autumnal Festivity! A Healthy and Delicious Japchae Recipe for the Whole Family
Here’s our family’s unique way of making Japchae for holidays or any special occasion. Instead of spinach or egg garnish, which can sometimes make the dish look messy, we opt for vibrant bell peppers for a fresh look and crisp texture. We’ll also share a versatile sauce recipe that can be used for various meat dishes and Japchae. May your Chuseok be truly delicious! ^^
Main Ingredients- 300g Glass noodles
- 200g Pork for Japchae
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 1 Yellow bell pepper
- 1 Green bell pepper
- 1 pack Fresh wood ear mushrooms
- 1 handful Shiitake mushrooms (or oyster mushrooms)
- 1 Onion
- Pinch of rock salt
- 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 stalk Green onion
Versatile Sauce- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp Rice syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1/3 Onion
- 3 Tbsp Pear juice
- 3 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp Ginger powder
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp Rice syrup (or corn syrup)
- 1/3 Onion
- 3 Tbsp Pear juice
- 3 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp Ginger powder
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, combine all the ingredients for the versatile sauce (soy sauce, granulated sugar, rice syrup, onion, pear juice, minced garlic, ginger powder, sesame oil, black pepper, toasted sesame seeds) in a blender and process until smooth. This homemade sauce is incredibly convenient and can be used for various dishes like meat preparations and Japchae.
Step 2
Pat the pork for Japchae dry with paper towels. Marinate it with 1/3 of the prepared sauce, gently massaging it into the meat. Letting it marinate for a while will allow the flavors to penetrate deeper.
Step 3
Wash the red and yellow bell peppers and the green bell pepper. Trim off the stems and remove the seeds. Slice them into thin strips, about 0.4 cm thick. These colorful peppers will add a vibrant look to your Japchae.
Step 4
Peel and thinly slice the onion. Soak the fresh wood ear mushrooms in lukewarm water until softened, then rinse them thoroughly and cut them lengthwise. If using oyster mushrooms, gently tear them into strands. For shiitake mushrooms, slice them into strips. Using a variety of mushrooms will enhance the texture and flavor.
Step 5
In a large pot, bring 1000ml (about 5 cups) of water to a boil. Add 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 Tbsp granulated sugar, and 1.5 Tbsp cooking oil. Once boiling, add 300g of glass noodles and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles become transparent. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 6
Drain the cooked glass noodles in a colander. Immediately toss them with 2 Tbsp of sesame oil while they are still hot. This step is crucial to prevent the noodles from clumping and to give them a glossy finish, forming the base of your delicious Japchae.
Step 7
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced bell peppers and green bell pepper. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and stir-fry briefly until they are tender-crisp, retaining some crunch. Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onion and sauté until fragrant.
Step 8
Now, stir-fry the marinated pork until it’s more than 2/3 cooked. Then, add all the prepared mushrooms (wood ear, shiitake, oyster) and stir-fry over high heat until most of the moisture from the mushrooms has evaporated. Be careful not to overcook, as mushrooms can become tough.
Step 9
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked glass noodles, stir-fried vegetables (bell peppers, green pepper, onion), stir-fried pork, and stir-fried mushrooms.
Step 10
Add the remaining versatile sauce (2/3 of the prepared amount) to the bowl. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce. It’s important to mix carefully to avoid breaking the noodles or ingredients.
Step 11
Transfer the finished Japchae to a large, flat serving plate. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and visual appeal. Your special holiday Japchae is now ready to be enjoyed!
