Chewy Shiitake Mushroom Japchae
Chewy Shiitake Mushroom Japchae
How to Make Plump Japchae ~ Generously Adding Shiitake Mushrooms ~
Recently, a neighbor kindly gave me some shiitake mushrooms. I’ve enjoyed them in doenjang jjigae and stir-fried with eomuk, and their chewy texture and deep, nutritious flavor were wonderful. So, I decided to make japchae with plenty of them! This shiitake mushroom japchae is made with perfectly bouncy noodles!
Main Ingredients- 250g glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- 140g beef (for japchae)
- 1/2 carrot
- 6 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 onion
- 1 handful wood ear mushrooms
- A little green onion (for color)
- A little cooking oil
Japchae Sauce- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp white sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for your japchae. You’ll need 6 plump shiitake mushrooms, 1 medium onion, and 1/2 carrot. Since I didn’t have spinach, I prepared a little green onion for color. Remove the tough stems from the shiitake mushrooms and slice them into thick pieces.
Step 2
Julienne the carrot and onion into about 0.5cm thick strips. If you slice the onion too thinly, it can become mushy when stir-fried, so cutting it slightly thicker will give it a better texture. Cut the green onions into 5-6cm lengths.
Step 3
Thinly slice the 140g of beef (for japchae) along the grain. In a bowl, combine the beef with the marinade ingredients: 1 tsp mirin, 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 tsp sugar, 0.5 tsp minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix and let it marinate. This step will make the beef extra tender and flavorful.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the essential, delicious sauce for your japchae. In a pot, add 1L of water, 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp white sugar, and 2 Tbsp cooking oil. Stir well and bring to a boil. This sauce will cook the glass noodles to perfection.
Step 5
It’s time to stir-fry the vegetables. Lightly oil a pan and add the sliced onion. Stir-fry until the onion becomes translucent. Once the onion is softened, add the green onions and a pinch of salt, then stir-fry together. This process enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 6
In a separate pan, add a little cooking oil and stir-fry the shiitake mushrooms, julienned carrots, and wood ear mushrooms. Add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce while stir-frying to enhance the mushroom’s aroma. Separately stir-fry the marinated beef. Cooking them separately helps to preserve the distinct flavors of each ingredient.
Step 7
Once the beef is cooked, gently mix it with the stir-fried vegetables and mushrooms. Be careful not to stir too vigorously, as this could break down the vegetables.
Step 8
When the sauce mixture is boiling, add the glass noodles directly into the pot. The noodles will absorb the delicious sauce as they cook.
Step 9
Simmer until the glass noodles have absorbed all the sauce and are cooked to your desired tenderness. Let it cook until the sauce is reduced to a glaze.
Step 10
Here’s an important tip! Be careful not to overcook the glass noodles. If the sauce has mostly evaporated but the noodles still seem undercooked, you can remove the noodles first, cook them separately until just right, and then return them to the sauce. This step is crucial for achieving that chewy texture.
Step 11
Transfer the cooked glass noodles to a large bowl. Let them cool slightly, then drizzle with 2 Tbsp of sesame oil and gently toss. This prevents the noodles from sticking together and gives them a beautiful sheen.
Step 12
Add all the stir-fried vegetables and beef to the sesame oil-coated noodles. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 13
The green onions, which I added instead of spinach, have really enhanced the japchae’s flavor! Their fragrant aroma and crispness make this japchae even more delightful.
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and a good amount of black pepper for an even richer flavor and aroma. Adjust the amount of sesame seeds and pepper to your preference.
Step 15
Ta-da! Your delicious and plump shiitake mushroom japchae is ready. Serve it warm on a plate to fully enjoy the bouncy noodles and the rich flavors of all the ingredients. It’s a perfect dish for any festive occasion that the whole family will love!
