Colorful Paprika Japchae
Make a Vibrant Paprika Japchae – Easy for Everyone!
Japchae is a dish that never gets old! Forget the idea that it’s only for holidays or special occasions. You can easily make it at home with ingredients you already have. If you’ve found Japchae intimidating, let’s tackle it together with this beginner-friendly recipe. You can also make delicious Japchae bibimbap or rice bowls with this recipe. Japchae isn’t difficult, so let’s get cooking!
Main Ingredients- 400g Japchae-style Sliced Pork
- 4 servings Glass Noodles (approx. 200-250g)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper
- 1 Onion
- 100g Bok Choy (or a handful of Spinach)
Seasoning & Others- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce (3 Tbsp + 3 Tbsp)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Sesame Oil to taste (approx. 2 Tbsp)
- Sesame Seeds to taste (approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Pinch of Salt
- Cooking Oil
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce (3 Tbsp + 3 Tbsp)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Sesame Oil to taste (approx. 2 Tbsp)
- Sesame Seeds to taste (approx. 1 Tbsp)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Pinch of Salt
- Cooking Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 4 servings of glass noodles (about 200-250g). Rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch.
Step 2
Prepare 400g of Japchae-style sliced pork. Patting the pork dry with paper towels can help reduce any gamey odor.
Step 3
Prepare 2 colorful bell peppers (red and yellow), 1 medium onion, and 100g of fresh bok choy. You can also use spinach if you prefer.
Step 4
Slice the prepared vegetables nicely. Thinly julienne the red and yellow bell peppers, and slice the onion into similar-sized strips. Trim the base of the bok choy and use it whole, or cut it into 2-3 pieces if it’s large. (If using spinach, blanch it briefly in boiling water, rinse with cold water, squeeze out excess moisture, and cut into 4-5cm lengths.)
Step 5
In a generous pot of boiling water, add the glass noodles and cook until they turn translucent (about 6-8 minutes). Once cooked, quickly rinse the noodles under cold water to remove starch and drain them thoroughly in a colander. This step prevents the noodles from clumping or becoming mushy.
Step 6
Heat a frying pan with a little cooking oil. Add the cooked glass noodles and pour in 3 Tbsp of soy sauce. Stir-fry the noodles until they are evenly coated with the soy sauce. This technique helps prevent the noodles from getting soggy. Set the stir-fried noodles aside in a separate bowl to cool slightly.
Step 7
In the same pan, add a little more cooking oil and stir-fry the pork. Season the pork with a pinch of salt, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook until the pork is fully done.
Step 8
Once the pork is cooked, add the prepared vegetables. Add the onion, bell peppers, and bok choy in this order. Stir-fry over high heat for a short time to keep the vegetables crisp. The key is to not overcook them so they retain their crunch.
Step 9
There you have it – a colorful topping for your Japchae is ready! Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 10
In a large bowl, combine the stir-fried noodles and the prepared toppings. Add the remaining 3 Tbsp of soy sauce and gently mix everything together until well combined. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed.
Step 11
Finally, add a generous amount of sesame oil (about 2 Tbsp) and sesame seeds (about 1 Tbsp) and mix well to complete your delicious Japchae. Sesame oil and seeds enhance the aroma and flavor of the dish.
Step 12
Serve your lovingly prepared Japchae in a beautiful dish. It’s best enjoyed while warm!
Step 13
This Japchae is a dish that never disappoints! Try making it easily with ingredients you have at home. It will surely make your mealtime more special!
