Crispy Napa Cabbage Japchae (Delicious Without Meat!)
Crispy Napa Cabbage Japchae (Delicious Without Meat!)
A Must-Have Main Dish That’s Perfect with Rice: Meatless Napa Cabbage Japchae
This special Napa Cabbage Japchae is packed with crunchy and sweet Napa cabbage, made without any meat for a wonderfully diverse texture. The refreshing taste of the cabbage cuts through any richness, resulting in a cleaner, more delicious flavor. It’s a fantastic side dish for rice or an impressive option for entertaining guests!
Japchae Ingredients- 5 servings Dangmyeon (Korean glass noodles, approx. 300-350g)
- 5 leaves Napa Cabbage (medium size)
- 3 sheets Square Fish Cakes (eomuk)
- 3 Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms
- 50g Carrot (approx. 1/3 medium carrot)
- 50g Chives (a handful)
- A little cooking oil
- A pinch of salt (for final seasoning)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 3 Tbsp Brown Sugar (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (for seasoning)
- A little salt (for stir-frying vegetables)
Shiitake Mushroom Marinade Ingredients- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 0.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the japchae. Fresh ingredients are the foundation for a delicious dish.
Step 2
Boil the dangmyeon in water over high heat for about 5 minutes. Then, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for another 5 minutes. The noodles will turn transparent and become perfectly chewy without overcooking. This method ensures the noodles remain firm and springy.
Step 3
Drain the cooked dangmyeon using a sieve and rinse them briefly under cold water to prevent sticking. Cut the noodles into 2-3 pieces each with scissors for easier handling during stir-frying.
Step 4
Wash the fresh shiitake mushrooms under running water, remove the stems, and slice them thinly. In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp brown sugar, a pinch of black pepper, 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil). Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and gently mix to marinate for about 5 minutes. This step enhances the mushrooms’ unique flavor, adding depth to the japchae.
Step 5
Cut the Napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Slice the fish cakes and carrots into thin strips of similar length. Cut the chives into lengths of about 5-7 cm. Ensuring all vegetables are cut to similar lengths makes the dish visually appealing and easier to eat.
Step 6
Heat a little cooking oil in a wide pan. Stir-fry the carrots, marinated shiitake mushrooms, and Napa cabbage in that order until slightly softened. Push the cooked vegetables to one side of the pan. In the empty space, add 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 Tbsp brown sugar and let it bubble and caramelize. Then, add the fish cakes and stir-fry for about 30 seconds to let them absorb the sauce. Caramelizing the sauce separately adds a deeper flavor profile.
Step 7
Once the fish cakes have absorbed the sauce, combine all the stir-fried ingredients and the dangmyeon. Mix everything together and stir-fry briefly. Transfer the mixture to a separate large bowl.
Step 8
In the same pan, add about 2 Tbsp of cooking oil and minced garlic. Stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. Once the garlic aroma is released, add 3 Tbsp soy sauce and 2 Tbsp brown sugar. Wait for the sauce to bubble vigorously. Add the prepared dangmyeon and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the noodles are well-coated with the sauce. Then, add all the previously stir-fried ingredients back into the pan and mix well to combine everything.
Step 9
Turn off the heat. Add the chopped chives and toss gently using the residual heat. Chives become mushy if overcooked, so adding them at the end and mixing briefly helps retain their crispness.
Step 10
For the final touch, add 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp sesame seeds, and a pinch of black pepper if desired. Toss one last time. Taste and adjust seasoning with a tiny bit of salt if needed. Your delicious Napa Cabbage Japchae is complete! Enjoy it as a hearty and impressive main dish.
