Crispy Cucumber Japchae
Crispy Cucumber Japchae
Super Simple Cucumber Japchae Golden Recipe: Ready in 15 Minutes for Housewarming & Home Parties
Experience the delightful crunch of cucumbers combined with colorful vegetables in this quick and easy Japchae recipe. Perfect for housewarming parties or home gatherings!
Main Ingredients- Japchae noodles for 4 servings
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1 cucumber
- 1/3 bunch spinach (optional, can substitute with more cucumber)
- 1/2 onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Excluding the 15-20 minutes needed to soak the japchae noodles, the actual cooking and mixing time takes less than 15 minutes! Here’s a super simple Japchae golden recipe that’s incredibly fast from preparation to completion.
Step 2
First, prepare the vegetables. Wash the cucumber thoroughly, then peel it using a peeler, removing the seedy core, and julienne it into bite-sized strips. If you’re not using spinach, feel free to add more cucumber for an extra crispiness. Julienne the red and yellow bell peppers and the onion similarly. Soak the dried japchae noodles in cold water for 15-20 minutes until softened. Drain them well using a colander.
Step 3
Get two frying pans ready. In one pan, add a little cooking oil and toss in all the julienned vegetables (cucumber, bell peppers, onion). Stir-fry them over high heat just until they start to wilt slightly. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can release water.
Step 4
In the other pan, add a bit more cooking oil and stir-fry the soaked and drained japchae noodles. This step is the secret to preventing the japchae from becoming soggy. Instead of boiling the noodles, stir-frying them with oil creates a coating that keeps them chewy even when served at room temperature or cooled.
Step 5
To the oil-coated stir-fried noodles, add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry until the seasoning is well absorbed. Once the sauce has slightly reduced, add all the stir-fried vegetables from the other pan and quickly toss everything together for another brief stir-fry. Finally, turn off the heat, drizzle in 1 Tbsp sesame oil for shine and aroma, and sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish.
Step 6
And there you have it! Delicious Cucumber Japchae that stays perfectly chewy and looks beautifully glossy. Enjoy this simple yet impressive dish for a special meal.
