Shil-hancheon Japchae (Zero Calorie Burden!)
A Healthy Shil-hancheon Japchae to Enjoy Lightly
Japchae, an indispensable dish for feasts and holidays! But if you’ve hesitated to eat it due to calorie concerns, pay attention to this recipe. By using ‘Shil-hancheon,’ rich in dietary fiber, instead of chewy glass noodles, we’ve significantly lowered the calories and boosted the health benefits! This is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy Japchae without the guilt. Try it anytime for holiday meals, special occasions, or simply for a healthy meal.
Main Ingredients
- 40g Shil-hancheon (to soak in water)
- 20g Beef (for Japchae)
- 3 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms (or fresh)
- 1/6 Carrot (julienned)
- 1/4 Onion (julienned)
- 1/4 Green Bell Pepper (julienned)
- 1 Egg (for garnish)
Japchae Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or soup soy sauce)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or soup soy sauce)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare all the ingredients for the Japchae. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in lukewarm water beforehand. Arrange the ingredients neatly for easy julienning.
Step 2
Julienne the prepared carrots, onions, soaked shiitake mushrooms, and green bell peppers into thin, uniform strips about 5cm long. For mushrooms, removing the stems and julienning the caps results in a better texture. Keep the julienned vegetables separate.
Step 3
Julienne the beef into 5cm strips. Marinate it with about half of the prepared Japchae seasoning ingredients (2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sesame oil) by gently massaging. Marinating for about 10 minutes will make the beef much more tender and flavorful.
Step 4
Separate the egg white and yolk, add a pinch of salt to each, and thinly pan-fry them into an omelet. Fry over low heat to prevent burning and achieve a beautiful color. Once cooked, let the omelets cool slightly before thinly slicing them into strips for garnish.
Step 5
Soak the Shil-hancheon (40g) in lukewarm water for 10 minutes until softened. Be careful not to over-soak, as it can become mushy. Drain the soaked Shil-hancheon thoroughly in a sieve. Then, toss it with all the prepared Japchae seasoning (2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp sesame oil) to marinate. Ensuring the Shil-hancheon is well-seasoned is key for flavor.
Step 6
Heat a lightly oiled pan over high heat and quickly stir-fry the julienned carrots, onions, and green bell peppers separately. Stir-fry just until they are slightly softened but still retain their crispness. Seasoning each vegetable lightly with soy sauce and sugar as you stir-fry will enrich the overall flavor of the Japchae.
Step 7
In the same pan, add the marinated beef and stir-fry over high heat. Break up any clumps of beef with chopsticks as you stir-fry. When the beef is about 70% cooked, add the pre-stir-fried shiitake mushrooms and cook together for another 1-2 minutes until the mushroom aroma blends with the beef.
Step 8
After stir-frying all the ingredients, turn off the heat and add the marinated Shil-hancheon. Gently mix the Shil-hancheon with the residual heat and seasoning in the pan. Use chopsticks or tongs to carefully combine the beef, vegetables, and Shil-hancheon, ensuring they don’t clump together for a harmonious dish.
Step 9
Transfer the finished Shil-hancheon Japchae to a beautiful serving dish. Garnish with the thinly sliced egg omelet strips and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a visually appealing presentation. Enjoy your healthy and delicious Shil-hancheon Japchae, perfect for festive occasions!
