The Ultimate Japchae: A Versatile Recipe for an Elegant Dish
Effortless yet Exquisite Japchae: A Recipe for All Occasions
Enjoy this versatile Japchae recipe that can be served as a simple side dish or elevated for festive occasions like holidays simply by adjusting the ingredients. It’s a sophisticated dish that’s sure to impress.
Essential Ingredients- 200g dried glass noodles (Japchae noodles)
- 100g green onions
- 60g chives
- 2-3 shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 150-200g thinly sliced pork for stir-fry
Seasoning Sauce- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
For Finishing and Tossing- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
For a Richer Flavor (Optional)- 1 Korean green chili pepper (Cheongyang chili)
- 150g thinly sliced beef for stir-fry
- 4 dried wood ear mushrooms
- 150g spinach
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
For Finishing and Tossing- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
For a Richer Flavor (Optional)- 1 Korean green chili pepper (Cheongyang chili)
- 150g thinly sliced beef for stir-fry
- 4 dried wood ear mushrooms
- 150g spinach
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (Cheongyang chili)
- 150g thinly sliced beef for stir-fry
- 4 dried wood ear mushrooms
- 150g spinach
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the glass noodles. Soak the dried glass noodles in lukewarm water for about 30 minutes until they are softened and pliable. Once soaked, rinse them briefly under cold running water to remove excess starch. Drain them thoroughly in a colander, ensuring as much water as possible is removed. This prevents the noodles from clumping together when cooked and results in a delightful chewy texture.
Step 2
Marinate the pork to enhance its flavor. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the thinly sliced pork. Add 1 teaspoon of Korean cooking wine (or mirin) and mix well. This step helps to tenderize the meat and remove any gamey odors. If not using immediately, cover and refrigerate.
Step 3
Whisk together the ingredients for the seasoning sauce. Combine 6 tablespoons of soy sauce (a mix of regular and light soy sauce can add depth, if desired), 3.5 tablespoons of sugar for sweetness, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic for aroma. Finish with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. It’s best to make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for the flavors to meld.
Step 4
Prepare the vegetables and mushrooms for the Japchae. Wash all the vegetables and mushrooms thoroughly, including the green onions, chives, shiitake mushrooms, carrot, and onion. Slice them into bite-sized, uniform pieces. Lightly sprinkle salt over the prepared vegetables. This will help them retain their crispness when stir-fried and also season them lightly.
Step 5
Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the white parts of the green onions first and stir-fry for about 1 minute until slightly softened. Then, add the green parts of the green onions and the chives. Continue to stir-fry for another 1 minute and 30 seconds, or just until the vegetables begin to wilt. Remove them from the pan immediately to preserve their fresh texture and vibrant color. Overcooking will release excess moisture.
Step 6
Wipe the pan clean and add a little more oil. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until they become translucent and fragrant. Next, add the marinated pork and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked through. During this process, use a paper towel to absorb any excess liquid or oil that comes out of the pork; this is crucial to prevent the Japchae from becoming greasy. Once cooked, transfer the pork to a plate and spread it out.
Step 7
Stir-fry the carrots and shiitake mushrooms separately in the same pan with a little oil, for about 2 to 3 minutes each. Seasoning them lightly with salt as you stir-fry will enhance their flavor. It’s important to keep the stir-fried ingredients separate on their plates, without overcrowding them. This allows steam to escape, helping to maintain a crisp texture. Continue to let them cool until no visible steam is rising.
Step 8
Now, it’s time to cook the glass noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the soaked glass noodles. Cook for approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds. (It’s recommended to cook them slightly less than the package instructions, usually around 4 minutes, to ensure they don’t become mushy when stir-fried.) Once cooked, quickly rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove any remaining starch. Drain them very well in a colander.
Step 9
Heat the pan over medium-low heat and add just a tiny bit of oil. Pour in the prepared seasoning sauce and let it simmer for about 30 seconds. Keep the pan moving gently to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 10
Once the sauce is simmering, add the drained glass noodles to the pan. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the sauce. This step allows the noodles to absorb the flavorful sauce, giving them a beautiful sheen and infusing them with taste.
Step 11
When the noodles have absorbed most of the sauce, begin adding the pre-stir-fried ingredients – the vegetables, mushrooms, and pork – back into the pan. Add the finishing touches: 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil, 3 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly combined and coated.
Step 12
Finally, stir-fry everything together over the heat for about 1 more minute, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Taste the Japchae and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more soy sauce or salt to suit your preference. Once everything is perfectly seasoned and heated through, your delicious Japchae is ready to be served! This dish is perfect for entertaining guests or adding a special touch to any meal.
