Delicious Japchae (Korean Glass Noodle Stir-fry)
How to Make Authentic and Delicious Japchae
Japchae, a beloved Korean dish, is a must-have for holidays and special occasions! This recipe breaks down how to create the colorful, chewy, and utterly satisfying Japchae that delights everyone’s palate. We’ll show you how to stir-fry each vegetable separately to bring out its natural flavors, and share the secret to perfectly chewy, non-soggy glass noodles seasoned to perfection. Follow these detailed steps, and you’ll master delicious Japchae with ease, even if you’re a beginner. Let’s get cooking!
Main Ingredients- 200g Glass noodles (Dangmyeon)
- 100g Beef (for Japchae)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/3 Yellow bell pepper
- 1/3 Red bell pepper
- 1/3 Carrot
- 1 handful Oyster mushrooms (or Wood ear mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms)
- 2 handfuls Spinach
Beef Marinade Ingredients- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of ginger powder
Glass Noodle Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
Finishing Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of ginger powder
Glass Noodle Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup)
Finishing Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s marinate the beef to add flavor to the Japchae. In a bowl, combine the beef with 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of ginger powder. Gently mix and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. (You can substitute beef with pork for a different, delicious flavor.)
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables for the Japchae. Wash and thinly julienne the carrot, onion, and bell peppers. For the oyster mushrooms, trim the tough ends and separate them into strands. (Feel free to use wood ear mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms if you prefer.)
Step 3
Wash the spinach thoroughly, removing any tough root ends. Blanch the spinach in boiling water with a pinch of salt for about 30 seconds until it turns bright green. Immediately rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then squeeze out any excess water.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to stir-fry each vegetable separately. Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the julienned onion and stir-fry, adding a tiny pinch of salt and pepper, until the onion becomes translucent. (It’s best to cook lighter-colored ingredients first when using the same pan to prevent colors from mixing.)
Step 5
Add a little more cooking oil to the same pan. Add the prepared oyster mushrooms and stir-fry until they soften. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 6
Next, stir-fry the carrots and bell peppers. Add a little oil to the pan and toss in the julienned carrots and bell peppers. Stir-fry over high heat for a short time until they are tender-crisp, retaining their vibrant colors and a slight crunch. Season lightly with salt.
Step 7
The spinach is already blanched, so it can be lightly stir-fried in the pan with a tiny bit of oil, or even used as is. (If stir-frying, season very lightly with salt.)
Step 8
Time to cook the marinated beef. Add a little oil to the pan and stir-fry the marinated beef over high heat until it’s fully cooked through. Set aside the cooked ingredients in separate bowls.
Step 9
All the ingredients are now stir-fried and ready. Next, we’ll cook the glass noodles.
Step 10
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the 200g of glass noodles and cook for about 10-11 minutes, or until the noodles are translucent and tender. (Refer to the package instructions, but feel free to adjust the cooking time to your preference.)
Step 11
Drain the cooked noodles using a colander. Immediately rinse them under cold running water to remove excess starch, then drain thoroughly. This step is crucial to prevent the noodles from becoming sticky or mushy.
Step 12
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning for the glass noodles, which is key to delicious Japchae. In a clean pan, combine 2 Tbsp cooking oil, 5 Tbsp soy sauce, and 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide. Stir well to mix.
Step 13
Add the thoroughly drained glass noodles to the seasoned sauce in the pan.
Step 14
Stir-fry the noodles and seasoning over medium-low heat until the noodles are evenly coated and have a glossy sheen. Stir-frying the noodles like this makes them delightfully chewy and prevents them from becoming soggy when mixed with other ingredients later. They’ll stay springy even when cooled!
Step 15
Let the seasoned noodles cool slightly. Then, add all the pre-stir-fried vegetables and beef to the noodles. Finally, drizzle in 2 Tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break the noodles. Aim for an even distribution.
Step 16
Voila! Your vibrant, delicious Japchae is complete. Perfect for special occasions or for impressing guests, this homemade Japchae is sure to be a hit!
