Mushroom Japchae
Mushroom Japchae
The Ultimate Japchae Recipe: How to Make Delicious Mushroom Japchae for Dinner!
Wondering what to make for dinner? I decided to make japchae, which my two-year-old son Ian loves! This recipe is perfect for a satisfying and nutritious meal.
Ingredients for Mushroom Japchae- 120g glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- 2/3 king oyster mushroom
- 1 handful dried shiitake mushrooms (approx. 3-4)
- 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms
- 1 button mushroom
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 2 sheets fish cake (eomuk)
- 40g chives
- Cooking oil, as needed
- Salt, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (for coating noodles)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide (for coating noodles)
Japchae Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of black pepper
Fish Cake Seasoning- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of black pepper
Fish Cake Seasoning- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes until rehydrated. Remove the tough stems and slice them into bite-sized pieces. Slice the fresh shiitake mushrooms, king oyster mushrooms, and button mushrooms similarly. Thinly julienne the carrot.
Step 2
Heat about 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add all the prepared mushrooms and stir-fry until they release their moisture and turn slightly golden. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to a large bowl.
Step 3
Add a little more cooking oil to the same pan and stir-fry the julienned carrots. Cook until the carrots are slightly tender and translucent. Transfer them to the same large bowl with the mushrooms.
Step 4
While the carrots are cooking, prepare the onion and fish cake. Slice the onion into thin strips and cut the fish cake into bite-sized pieces, as preferred for easy eating.
Step 5
Add the sliced onion to the pan and sauté until it becomes transparent. Once the onion is translucent, add the chopped chives and stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook the chives, as they can become mushy. Add the cooked onion and chives to the large bowl containing the mushrooms and carrots.
Step 6
In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients for the fish cake: 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide). Add this mixture to the sliced fish cake and toss to coat evenly. This step ensures the fish cake is nicely seasoned with a sweet and savory flavor.
Step 7
Now, combine all the prepared ingredients in the large bowl: the stir-fried mushrooms, carrots, onion, chives, and the seasoned fish cake. The glass noodles will be added later.
Step 8
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the 120g of glass noodles and cook for 6 minutes. (Tip: Using uncooked, dried glass noodles will give you the best chewy texture.)
Step 9
Once the glass noodles are cooked, drain them thoroughly in a colander. Return the drained noodles to the pot and immediately add 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or oligosaccharide). Toss well to coat the noodles. This step prevents the noodles from sticking together and helps them absorb flavor.
Step 10
While the noodles are cooking, prepare the japchae sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper until well combined.
Step 11
Add the seasoned glass noodles to the large bowl with all the other ingredients. Pour the prepared japchae sauce over everything. Gently toss and mix using chopsticks or tongs until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce. (Tip: You can add the sauce gradually and taste as you go, adjusting the seasoning as needed. In this recipe, I found that using the entire amount of sauce resulted in perfect seasoning.) Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.
Step 12
Your delicious Mushroom Japchae, featuring fragrant mushrooms and a colorful assortment of vegetables, is now complete! Serve this visually appealing and flavorful dish in a nice bowl and enjoy. It’s a perfect side dish for kids or an impressive option for entertaining guests!
