Description
Japchae is a classic Korean dish made with sweet potato noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and a savory-sweet soy-based sauce. Often served at celebrations, family gatherings, or simply as a hearty meal, Japchae’s popularity lies in its umami-packed flavor and adaptability.
Ingredients
FOR THE JAPCHAE
-2 tbsp neutral oil
-250g sweet potato noodles (aka glass noodles)
-1 cup carrots, julienned
-1 medium bell pepper, julienned
-1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
-2 stalks green onion, chopped into 1 inch pieces
-4 cups fresh or frozen spinach
-1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds to garnish
FOR THE MARINATED BEEF
-1.5 cups thinly sliced beef
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-2 tbsp soy sauce
-1 tbsp sugar
-1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
-1/2 tbsp sesame oil
-1/8 tsp black pepper
FOR THE JAPCHAE SAUCE
-1/4 cup soy sauce
-2 tbsp sugar
-1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
PREPARE THE BEEF MARINADE
1. Add all the ingredients for the marinated beef into a medium bowl. Mix to ensure all the beef is evenly coated with the marinade and set aside.
PREPARE THE JAPCHAE SAUCE
2. Combine all the ingredients for the Japchae Sauce into a small bowl. Mix and set aside.
ASSEMBLE THE VEGETABLES
3. Wash, rinse, and chop your vegetables (carrots, bell pepper, onion, mushroom, spinach, green onion). If using baby spinach, no need to chop.
BOIL THE NOODLES
4. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the sweet potato noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse, and set aside. If desired, cut the noodle strands using kitchen shears, as the noodle strands tend to be very long.
COOK THE MEAT AND VEGETABLES
5. Add oil to a heated pan and add the marinated beef. Cook until the beef is no longer pink (about 3-6 minutes). Remove the cooked beef from the pan and set aside.
6. Add the carrots, bell pepper, onions and mushrooms. Saute for about 5 to 6 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add green onions and spinach and saute for another minutes.
ADD THE NOODLES AND SAUCE
7. Add the cooked noodles and sauce and toss everything together until the vegetables are mixed throughout and the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
GARNISH AND SERVE
8. Transfer the noodles onto a large serving platter or onto individual dishes. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Entree
- Cuisine: Korean, Asian