Colorful and Elegant Japchae
Colorful and Elegant Japchae
How to Make Delicious Japchae with Leftover Ingredients
I made a hearty and delicious Japchae using leftover vegetables and mushrooms from my fridge. It’s a festive dish that’s easy for anyone to follow with simple preparation steps, perfect for special occasions.
Japchae Ingredients- 200g soaked glass noodles (pre-soaked in water)
- 150g oyster mushrooms (trimmed and shredded)
- 1 onion (thinly sliced from the center)
- A small amount of carrot (julienned for color and texture)
- 2 heads of bok choy (trimmed at the base and thoroughly washed)
- A little minced green onion (for a fresh aroma)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (to enhance the flavor)
- Vegetable oil, as needed (for stir-frying vegetables)
Glass Noodle Stir-fry Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (for umami flavor)
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil (to prevent noodles from sticking)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
Japchae Seasoning- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (for overall seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (for a hint of sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for the final touch)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish and nutty flavor)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce (for umami flavor)
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil (to prevent noodles from sticking)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
Japchae Seasoning- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (for overall seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (for a hint of sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for the final touch)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish and nutty flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the glass noodles, the base of Japchae, by soaking them in water until softened. Trim the base of the oyster mushrooms and shred them. Wash the onion and carrot thoroughly and slice them thinly from the center. Trim the base of the bok choy and wash it carefully under running water.
Step 2
Take the prepared bok choy, trim the base, and wash it thoroughly under running water. Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute to lightly cook. Immediately rinse under cold water to cool it down and drain well to maintain its crispness.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little vegetable oil. Add the sliced onion and carrot and stir-fry until they become translucent. Season with a pinch of salt while stir-frying. Transfer the stir-fried vegetables to a separate plate to cool.
Step 4
Next, add the blanched oyster mushrooms to the same pan with a little oil and stir-fry. Once the mushrooms are somewhat cooked, add the minced garlic and minced green onion. Season lightly with salt and pepper while stir-frying. This step brings out the aromatic flavors of garlic and green onion.
Step 5
Combine the stir-fried onion, carrot, and seasoned mushrooms in a bowl and let them cool slightly. It’s important to let the ingredients cool completely so they don’t clump together when mixed while warm.
Step 6
Place the lightly blanched bok choy in a separate bowl. Add a pinch of salt, a drizzle of sesame oil, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix with your hands to season the bok choy, preserving its fresh flavor.
Step 7
Now it’s time to stir-fry the glass noodles. In a clean pan, combine the ‘Glass Noodle Stir-fry Seasoning’ ingredients: 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp vegetable oil, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the soaked glass noodles.
Step 8
Stir-fry the soaked glass noodles, ensuring they are evenly coated with the seasoning. Continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, allowing the noodles to absorb the flavors thoroughly. Let the stir-fried noodles cool separately. This prevents them from becoming mushy or sticky.
Step 9
Now, it’s time to bring all the prepared ingredients together. In a large bowl, add the cooled stir-fried vegetables, mushrooms, and glass noodles. Add the ‘Japchae Seasoning’ ingredients: 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 Tbsp sugar. Gently mix with your hands, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed among all ingredients. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed.
Step 10
Finally, add 1 Tbsp sesame oil and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and mix gently once more. The nutty aroma of sesame oil and seeds will further enhance the flavor of the Japchae. Your delicious Japchae is now complete! Enjoy it while it’s warm.
