Japchae: A Celebration Dish for Special Occasions
Mastering Japchae: A Flavorful Korean Noodle Stir-Fry
This recipe was made for my husband’s birthday. I couldn’t add sesame seeds as I didn’t have any, but be sure to sprinkle them generously for extra flavor! This detailed guide will help you create a delicious and festive Japchae.
Main Ingredients
- 500g soaked glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- 1.5 onions
- 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 bunch spinach
- 1/3 carrot
Seasoning
- 12 Tbsp soy sauce
- 12 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
- 1 cup water
- 3 drizzles olive oil
- 2 drizzles sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- 12 Tbsp soy sauce
- 12 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligodang)
- 1 cup water
- 3 drizzles olive oil
- 2 drizzles sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables that will add color and texture. Thinly slice the carrots and onions. Rehydrate the dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water, remove the tough stems, and slice them thinly. For the spinach, blanch it briefly in boiling salted water, then rinse under cold water and squeeze out all excess moisture. Season the blanched spinach with a little soy sauce (or salt) and sesame oil, then gently toss to combine. Heat a little olive oil in a pan and stir-fry the sliced onions, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms separately until slightly softened, seasoning each with a pinch of salt. Once all vegetables are sautéed, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. (Tip: If preparing Japchae in advance, let the sautéed vegetables cool completely before mixing them with other ingredients. Store them covered in the refrigerator.)
Step 2
Prepare the glass noodles that have been soaked in water the day before. Place the soaked noodles in a steamer basket. In a separate pan, heat a generous amount of olive oil. Add 1 cup of water, 12 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 12 tablespoons of corn syrup. Once the mixture comes to a boil, add the soaked glass noodles. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly to ensure the noodles absorb the seasoning evenly.
Step 3
As the noodles cook and the liquid reduces, taste the mixture. Adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce or corn syrup as needed, according to your preference. Continue to simmer and stir until the noodles are tender and have fully absorbed the flavorful sauce. Stirring frequently will prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 4
Check if the noodles have beautifully absorbed the delicious seasoning. When the noodles look glossy and feel tender, turn off the heat. The well-seasoned noodles are key to a great Japchae!
Step 5
In the large mixing bowl with the sautéed vegetables and seasoned spinach, add the perfectly cooked noodles. Drizzle with fragrant sesame oil and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together until all ingredients are well combined. Your special Japchae, perfect for celebrating your husband’s birthday, is now ready to be enjoyed!
