Quick Japchae Fried Rice from Leftovers
Make Japchae Fried Rice That’s Even Tastier Than Japchae!
Do you usually just eat leftover Japchae as is? Why not transform it into Japchae Fried Rice that’s even more delicious and satisfying than the original Japchae! With glass noodles, meat, and a colorful variety of vegetables packed into the Japchae, simply stir-frying it with rice creates a fulfilling meal in no time. Add a side of crisp kimchi, and you’ve got a rice-thief dish that disappears in a flash! It’s also the perfect way to use up leftover holiday food or day-old rice!
Main Ingredients- Leftover Japchae, 2 cups (cut into bite-sized pieces with scissors)
- Day-old rice or instant rice, 1.5 bowls
- Egg, 1
- White parts of green onion, 2 Tbsp (chopped)
- Oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp
- Cooking oil, a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare about 1.5 bowls of rice. If using day-old rice, break up any clumps. If using instant rice, warming it slightly in the microwave will make it easier to stir-fry.
Step 2
For the leftover Japchae, use scissors to cut it into bite-sized pieces so the glass noodles and other ingredients aren’t tangled. This makes it easier to mix with the rice and eat.
Step 3
Prepare about 2 tablespoons of chopped white parts of green onion. This will be used to create fragrant scallion oil.
Step 4
Prepare 1 egg. Depending on your preference, you can make scrambled eggs and mix them into the fried rice, or fry an egg sunny-side up and place it on top of the finished dish.
Step 5
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over low heat. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry slowly until they release their sweet aroma and create a gentle scallion oil. Thoroughly frying the scallions will significantly deepen the flavor of the fried rice.
Step 6
Once the scallion fragrance is released, add the pre-cut Japchae and stir-fry lightly over medium heat for about 1 minute. Keep stirring to prevent the Japchae from sticking to the pan.
Step 7
When the Japchae becomes slightly warm and glossy, add the prepared rice. Use a spatula to gently break apart any clumps of rice and mix it thoroughly with the Japchae. It’s important to stir-fry so that each grain of rice is separated and well-mixed.
Step 8
The rice and Japchae are now well combined and look appetizing. Now’s the time to decide how you want to incorporate the egg. Mixing in scrambled eggs or topping with a sunny-side-up fried egg will add even more richness to the flavor.
Step 9
I’m going to make scrambled eggs to mix in. Push the fried rice ingredients to one side of the pan to create space. Crack the egg into the empty space and quickly scramble it with chopsticks as it cooks.
Step 10
As soon as the egg begins to form soft curds, immediately cover the rice and Japchae with it and mix quickly. The scrambled egg will spread smoothly, adding a nutty and moist texture to the entire fried rice. It’s truly delicious!
Step 11
Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce for an umami boost. The amount of oyster sauce can be adjusted based on the quantity of rice and your personal preference. Be mindful of the saltiness and add more if needed.
Step 12
Stir-fry quickly with a spatula to thoroughly combine the oyster sauce and all ingredients. Slightly increasing the heat and tossing like in a wok will bring out that signature wok-hei flavor, making the fried rice even more delicious.
Step 13
Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, according to your preference, and give it a final stir. The nutty aroma of sesame oil will further enhance the flavor of the fried rice. Your delicious Japchae Fried Rice is ready to be enjoyed!
