Here’s a delicious recipe for Japchae, a Korean glass noodle stir-fry made with sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and a savory-sweet sauce. It’s a versatile dish, perfect as a main course or a side!
Ingredients:
For the Noodles and Sauce:
- 200g sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or green), thinly sliced
- 3-4 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced (or use other mushrooms)
- 2 cups spinach, blanched and drained
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for garnish, optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp soy sauce (for spinach)
- ½ tsp sesame oil (for spinach)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 200g beef, chicken, or pork (thinly sliced)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for marinating meat)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (for marinating meat)
- 1 tsp sugar (for marinating meat)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying meat)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Noodles:
- Cook the sweet potato noodles according to the package instructions (usually 6-8 minutes in boiling water).
- Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 ½ tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Set aside.
3. Cook the Spinach:
- Blanch the spinach in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then drain and rinse under cold water. Squeeze out excess water.
- Season the spinach with 1 tsp soy sauce, ½ tsp sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the onion, carrot, and bell pepper, and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
5. Cook the Protein (Optional):
- If using meat, marinate the thinly sliced beef, chicken, or pork in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp sugar for 15-20 minutes.
- Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in the same pan and stir-fry the marinated meat until cooked through. Set aside.
6. Combine the Noodles and Sauce:
- In the same pan, add the cooked noodles and pour in the sauce mixture. Stir-fry the noodles over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, ensuring they’re well-coated in the sauce.
7. Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked vegetables, spinach, and optional protein to the noodles. Toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Season with salt, pepper, and sesame seeds to taste.
8. Optional Egg Garnish:
- Lightly fry the beaten egg in a small pan to make a thin omelet. Slice it into strips and use it as a garnish on top of the japchae.
Serve:
- Garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions if desired.
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
This Japchae is a perfect blend of textures and flavors, with savory, sweet, and nutty notes. It’s great for any meal and can easily be adapted with different vegetables or proteins!