Japchae: Delicious Korean Glass Noodle Stir-fry
Japchae: Delicious Korean Glass Noodle Stir-fry
Japchae That Makes the Whole Family Happy
Let’s make Japchae, a beloved dish for everyone! (Utilizing a recipe from Saengsaeng Information Show)
Ingredients- Glass noodles (dangmyeon) 200g
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/3 Carrot
- 5-6 Dried wood ear mushrooms
- Dried shiitake mushrooms (optional)
- Imitation crab sticks or fish cakes, as needed
- 1 handful Spinach (about 5-6 stalks) or Chives
- 1 tsp Oyster sauce (for stir-frying vegetables)
Meat Marinade- 1 tsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- A little ginger powder
Noodle Sauce- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 7-8 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (adjust sweetness)
- 4 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, as needed
- 1 tsp Oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- A little ginger powder
Noodle Sauce- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 7-8 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (adjust sweetness)
- 4 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash all the vegetables (onion, carrot) and trim any blemishes. Then, slice them into thin strips of an appropriate size (about 0.5cm) suitable for japchae. Slice imitation crab sticks or fish cakes into similar lengths. If you are using beef or pork for japchae, place it in a bowl and mix with the ‘Meat Marinade’ ingredients (1 tsp oyster sauce, 1/2 tsp mirin, 1 tsp minced garlic, a pinch of black pepper, a little ginger powder). Mix well and let it marinate for a while.
Step 2
Soak the dried wood ear mushrooms in lukewarm water for about 10-20 minutes until softened. Remove the tough, woody parts from the base and rinse them thoroughly under running water. Slice the rehydrated mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Briefly blanch the spinach in boiling water with a pinch of salt, then rinse under cold water and squeeze out excess moisture. If using chives, wash them and cut them into 3-4cm lengths.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to cook the glass noodles. In a large, deep pot, add plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the 200g of glass noodles and cook for 11 minutes. It’s important to stir the noodles gently with chopsticks occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. After 11 minutes, immediately drain the cooked noodles and rinse them quickly under cold water to remove excess starch. Drain them thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
Step 4
While the noodles are cooking, start stir-frying the ingredients. Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over high heat. Stir-fry the prepared vegetables and marinated meat. Stir-frying over high heat ensures that the vegetables retain their crisp texture. Add the vegetables in the following order: onion, then carrot, then imitation crab sticks/fish cakes, and finally mushrooms. Stir-fry briefly until each ingredient is just cooked. Set them aside in separate bowls.
Step 5
After stir-frying all the ingredients, prepare the ‘Noodle Sauce’, which is the key to delicious japchae. In a small bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 7-8 Tbsp oligosaccharide (adjust sweetness to your preference), 4 Tbsp olive oil, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix well.
Step 6
Tip! While regular soy sauce or brewed soy sauce works well, using tsuyu or a seasoned soy sauce can add a deeper, richer umami flavor. If using a commercial sauce, adjust the amount of soy sauce or oligosaccharide accordingly.
Step 7
Now, it’s time to bring all the ingredients together. Reheat a clean pan over high heat and add 4 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the drained glass noodles and pour all the prepared ‘Noodle Sauce’ over them. Stir-fry over high heat for about 4-5 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the sauce evenly. Once the noodles turn glossy and are well-seasoned, add all the stir-fried vegetables and meat back into the pan.
Step 8
After adding the other ingredients, reduce the heat to low and continue to stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Gently toss everything together so that all the ingredients are well combined with the sauce. Finally, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil, sprinkle with some sesame seeds, and mix once more thoroughly. Your delicious japchae is ready!
Step 9
Serve the finished japchae generously on a plate for an appealing presentation. You can add extra sesame seeds for garnish if desired, making it even more appetizing. Enjoy a happy mealtime with this heartwarming japchae that the whole family will love!
