Description
Japchae is a Korean stir-fried glass noodle dish, packed with colorful vegetables, savory-sweet flavors, and a uniquely chewy texture that makes it both comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat Marinade:
- 1/2 lb ribeye (or substitute with chicken thighs/breast, ground beef, etc.)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Vegetables:
- Neutral oil (for sautéing)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
- 5 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced (or cremini, button, or oyster mushrooms)
- 3 oz (1/2 large) carrot, julienned
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp salt (for cooking vegetables)
Noodles & Spinach:
- 6 oz Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon), soaked in water 30 minutes
- 2 1/2 cups spinach (not packed, ~1.25 oz)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil (plus more for the noodles)
Sauce:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- Optional garnish: Roasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Begin by soaking your noodles (these are going to need to soak for 30 minutes in cold water to allow them to soften).
- Thinly slice the ribeye against the grain. Toss with the meat marinade ingredients: soy sauce, mirin, and black pepper. Let marinate while you prep the vegetables (about 20 minutes).
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Blanch spinach for 20 seconds until just wilted. Drain, rinse briefly under cold water, and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Place the spinach into a large bowl and cut the spinach twice (into shorter sections). Season with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp sesame oil. Set aside.
- After soaking 30 minutes, boil noodles according to package (usually 5 – 6 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Place noodles into bowl with spinach. Cut the noodles a few times with kitchen scissors for easier eating. Toss with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking (optional).
- Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, mushrooms, carrot, and red pepper and season with 1/2 tsp salt. Cook together until softened but still slightly crisp. Remove from pan and toss with noodles and spinach.
- In the same pan, cook the marinated beef over medium-high heat. Stir-fry until fully cooked and slightly caramelized, then combine into the bowl with vegetables and noodles.
- Into the same large bowl add the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, brown sugar, and toasted sesame oil. Toss everything well (use tongs or clean hands for best mixing) to ensure the noodles are completely coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with roasted sesame seeds. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4