Delicious Japchae: A Recipe Using Leftover Ingredients
Delicious Japchae: A Recipe Using Leftover Ingredients
Delicious Japchae Made Easily with Fridge Ingredients
I’m making Japchae again after a long time! This recipe is perfect for using up leftover vegetables and ingredients in your fridge. Enjoy the rich, diverse textures and savory flavors that develop with every bite.
Main Ingredients- 1 bundle glass noodles (approx. 100g)
- Wood ear mushrooms, a small amount (approx. 10g dried)
- 150g beef (for stir-frying)
- 1/2 carrot, julienned
- 1/2 onion, julienned
- 1 handful spinach, blanched and seasoned
Seasoning & Marinade- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1/3 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for stir-frying vegetables)
- A little cooking oil (for stir-frying)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1/3 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for stir-frying vegetables)
- A little cooking oil (for stir-frying)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first step to making Japchae is to soak the glass noodles and mushrooms. Soak the glass noodles and dried wood ear mushrooms separately in lukewarm water. (The shiitake mushrooms are not for this Japchae but for another dish!)
Step 2
Once the glass noodles are soaked, blanch them in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until they become translucent. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become mushy. Rinse the blanched noodles under cold water, drain them, and toss with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking and add a nice sheen.
Step 3
Rinse the soaked wood ear mushrooms thoroughly under running water and trim them. Marinate them with a little soy sauce and sesame oil. Marinate the beef in a similar way with a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil.
Step 4
Julienne the carrot thinly. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and briefly blanch the carrots (about 30 seconds) until they are still slightly crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water. This helps retain their vibrant color and makes them tender.
Step 5
Heat a little cooking oil in a pan. First, stir-fry chopped green onions until fragrant. Once the aroma of the green onions is released, add the marinated beef and stir-fry, breaking it apart with chopsticks, until it is fully cooked.
Step 6
When the beef is cooked, add the marinated wood ear mushrooms, julienned and blanched carrots, and onions to the pan. Stir-fry everything together. Add a pinch of salt at this stage to absorb moisture from the vegetables and season the dish.
Step 7
Finally, add the pre-blanched and seasoned spinach and the cooked glass noodles to the pan. Stir-fry quickly to combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning with soy sauce (1 Tbsp), cooking wine (1/2 Tbsp), and plum extract (1/2 Tbsp) as needed. Drizzle with sesame oil (1/3 Tbsp) for a final touch of nutty aroma. Your delicious Japchae is now ready!
