Japchae: Delicious Korean Glass Noodle Stir-fry for Special Occasions
Japchae: Delicious Korean Glass Noodle Stir-fry for Special Occasions
A Hearty and Flavorful Japchae Recipe
To celebrate our first New Year together after marriage, I decided to make Tteokguk and Japchae! This Japchae is made with care and is perfect for adding a festive touch to any celebration.
Main Ingredients- 3 handfuls of dangmyeon (glass noodles, approx. 300g)
- 1 bunch of Seomcho spinach (sweet, tender spinach)
- 1 medium onion
- 4 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 150g beef (for stir-frying)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 stalk green onion
- Plenty of sesame oil (approx. 2 Tbsp)
Seasoning & Others- Plenty of sesame oil (approx. 1 Tbsp, for finishing)
- 3.5 Tbsp soy sauce (for seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Plenty of sesame oil (approx. 1 Tbsp, for finishing)
- 3.5 Tbsp soy sauce (for seasoning)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Set aside half of the stir-fried beef that was prepared for Tteokguk. This saves time and ensures you have the right amount for the Japchae.
Step 2
Wash the Seomcho spinach thoroughly by holding the roots under running water and shaking gently to remove any dirt. If the spinach leaves are large, cut them in half.
Step 3
Season the blanched spinach as you would for a typical spinach side dish (e.g., a little minced garlic, salt, and sesame oil). This ensures it blends well into the Japchae and adds a tender texture.
Step 4
Cook the dangmyeon (glass noodles) in the same water used to blanch the spinach. This technique infuses the noodles with a subtle, pleasant flavor from the spinach.
Step 5
Don’t worry if the cooking water reduces significantly while the noodles cook. Avoid adding more water; continuing to cook allows the noodles to absorb the flavor and achieve a perfectly chewy texture.
Step 6
Drain the cooked noodles thoroughly in a colander. Excess water can dilute the flavors of the final dish.
Step 7
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Add thinly sliced onion and rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, julienned, and stir-fry. Add 1/2 Tbsp of soy sauce to enhance the vegetables’ aroma and flavor.
Step 8
Once the onions begin to turn translucent, add the cooked dangmyeon to the pan. Stir-fry with 3 Tbsp of soy sauce and 1/2 Tbsp of fish sauce. The fish sauce adds a wonderful depth of umami.
Step 9
Combine the stir-fried vegetables and noodles well. Then, add the prepared spinach and mix gently until everything is evenly incorporated.
Step 10
Add the reserved stir-fried beef and a generous drizzle of sesame oil. Stir-fry briefly to combine all the ingredients harmoniously.
Step 11
Transfer the finished Japchae to a serving platter. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma and a beautiful finish. Enjoy your delicious homemade Japchae!
