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Japchae Recipe

Japchae Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 30 reviews

Japchae is a classic Korean dish featuring stir-fried glass noodles with savory beef and a colorful array of vegetables, all coated in a sweet and savory sesame-soy sauce. This recipe combines tender thinly sliced beef, sweet potato noodles, and fresh vegetables for a flavorful and satisfying meal that can be easily customized with chicken, tofu, or shrimp.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 lb thin-sliced beef (or chicken, tofu, or shrimp as substitutes)

Noodles

  • 1 lb Korean sweet potato noodles (glass noodles)

Vegetables

  • 3 medium carrots, julienned
  • 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1/2 lb spinach leaves
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced

Oils and Sauces

  • 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the sweet potato noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
  2. Prepare the Beef: Heat a skillet over high heat and cook the thinly sliced beef until it browns evenly. While cooking, season the beef with half of the soy sauce, half of the sesame oil, and half of the brown sugar. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In another skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add julienned carrots and thinly sliced onions, cooking until they become soft and slightly caramelized. Add the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar to the vegetables, mixing well. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped green onions, cooking for another minute to release their flavors.
  4. Wilt Spinach: Add the spinach leaves to the skillet and stir until they wilt completely, about 1-2 minutes.
  5. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables, wilted spinach, and browned beef. Toss all ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the sauce and flavors.
  6. Serve: Serve the japchae warm, optionally garnishing with extra chopped green onions for added color and freshness.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with firm tofu and use tamari to keep it gluten-free.
  • Be sure not to overcook the sweet potato noodles; they should remain chewy.
  • Adjust soy sauce and brown sugar levels to taste if you prefer a sweeter or saltier flavor.
  • Garnishing with toasted sesame seeds adds crunch and enhances nuttiness.
  • This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated and gently reheated.

Nutrition

Keywords: Japchae, Korean glass noodles, stir-fry, beef japchae, sweet potato noodles, Korean recipe, sesame soy sauce noodles

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/japchae-recipe/