Pork and Chives Japchae: A Delightful Homemade Feast
Pork and Chives Japchae: A Delightful Homemade Feast
Authentic Japchae Recipe with Pork and Chives: A Step-by-Step Guide
Japchae doesn’t have to be reserved for special occasions! This recipe shows you how to create a delicious and satisfying Pork and Chives Japchae using ingredients you likely have at home. Experience the perfect harmony of chewy glass noodles, crisp vegetables, and tender pork. It’s a wonderful dish to share with your loved ones. Elevate your dining table with this lovingly prepared Japchae!
Core Japchae Ingredients- Glass noodles (dangmyeon) 120g (approx. 1 serving)
- Pork for japchae 82g (lean cut preferred)
- Shiitake mushrooms 2 ea (approx. 40g after trimming)
- Onion 53g (about 1/4 medium onion)
- Carrot 27g (about 1/5 medium carrot)
- Chives 25g (about one handful)
- Olive oil 3.5 Tbsp (for stir-frying)
- Salt 3 pinches (for vegetable seasoning) + 2 pinches (for chive seasoning)
- Sesame seeds, generous amount (for garnish)
Pork Marinade- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 tsp
- Black pepper, a pinch (about 0.5 pinch)
Japchae Seasoning- Soy sauce 2.5 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
Boiling Glass Noodles- Water 800ml
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 tsp
- Black pepper, a pinch (about 0.5 pinch)
Japchae Seasoning- Soy sauce 2.5 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
Boiling Glass Noodles- Water 800ml
- Water 800ml
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The very first step to making Japchae is to soak the glass noodles. About an hour before you plan to start cooking, place the glass noodles in a bowl and cover them completely with water. Ensure they are fully submerged, as the soaking time will affect how long you need to boil them. Starting this process first is key.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Separate the caps from the stems of the shiitake mushrooms. Slice the caps thinly, about 2-3mm thick. Discard any small or unappealing mushroom stems. Thinly julienne the onion and carrot (about 3mm thick). Cut the chives into lengths of about 6-7mm. (Tip: Using too much chive can make the Japchae tough, so adjust the amount to your liking or omit it if preferred.)
Step 3
Place the pork for Japchae in a bowl. Gently press down with paper towels to absorb any excess blood or moisture from the meat. This helps reduce any gamey smell and allows the marinade to penetrate better.
Step 4
Prepare the marinade for the pork: combine 1 tsp of soy sauce, 1 tsp of sesame oil, and 0.5 tsp of minced garlic.
Step 5
Add the prepared marinade ingredients to the bowl with the pork. Put on disposable gloves and gently mix the pork and marinade with your hands, massaging it in. Let it sit for a moment to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 6
In a wide pan, add the julienned onion and 3 Tbsp of olive oil. Heat over medium gas flame. Sauté the onions until they become translucent and retain a slight crispness. Sautéing onions first helps to bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 7
Once the onions are lightly sautéed, add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and carrots. Sprinkle in about 3 pinches of salt. Seasoning the vegetables as you cook helps ensure the entire dish is well-balanced and not bland.
Step 8
Stir gently with a spatula to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue to stir-fry until the shiitake mushrooms are cooked through. It’s important to maintain the texture of each vegetable.
Step 9
Now, add the chives and 2 pinches of salt. Stir-fry briefly, just until the chives are combined with the other ingredients. Chives wilt very quickly, so a short cooking time will help preserve their fresh color and texture. Turn off the heat at this point.
Step 10
With the heat off, sprinkle black pepper over the ingredients and give it a gentle toss. This will infuse a subtle peppery aroma.
Step 11
Transfer the stir-fried vegetable mixture to a separate bowl and let it cool slightly. Having them in a separate bowl makes it easier to proceed with the next steps.
Step 12
In the same pan, add the marinated pork and 0.5 Tbsp of olive oil. Stir-fry the pork until it is fully cooked. (Tip: If the pork strips are very long or thick, you can cut them into more manageable pieces with scissors.)
Step 13
Drain the soaked glass noodles thoroughly in a colander. Soaking the noodles beforehand significantly reduces the boiling time.
Step 14
In a pot, bring 800ml of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the soaked glass noodles and stir immediately to prevent them from sticking together. (The boiling time for noodles depends on how long they were soaked. If soaked for about 1 hour, boil for 2 minutes. If soaked for 30 minutes, boil for 5-6 minutes. If not soaked for very long, boil for 8-10 minutes. To check for doneness, carefully remove a noodle and taste it. If it’s tender and chewy, they are ready.)
Step 15
Immediately drain the cooked glass noodles in a colander. Rinse them under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Squeeze out any remaining water firmly to ensure a chewy texture.
Step 16
In a large bowl or the same pan, combine the slightly cooled stir-fried vegetables, and then add the boiled glass noodles on top.
Step 17
Add 2.5 Tbsp of soy sauce for the Japchae seasoning.
Step 18
Add 1 Tbsp of sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Step 19
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for its rich aroma and flavor.
Step 20
Put on disposable gloves again. Gently toss and mix everything together, ensuring the noodles and all the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce. Continue mixing until the noodles have uniformly absorbed the color of the sauce.
Step 21
Taste the Japchae and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If it’s too bland, add a little more soy sauce and mix again. (Tip: Japchae often tastes better after sitting for a while as the noodles absorb more seasoning. If you plan to serve it later, consider making the seasoning slightly stronger initially.)
Step 22
Generously sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the finished Japchae. Your delicious Pork and Chives Japchae is now complete! Enjoy this hearty and flavorful dish.
