Easy and Delicious Japchae: Baek Jong Won’s Golden Recipe
Baek Jong Won’s Golden Japchae Recipe: How to Easily Make Japchae, from Boiling Glass Noodles to Preparing Ingredients
A must-have dish for any feast or special occasion, Japchae doesn’t have to be difficult! Learn how to make this beloved Korean noodle dish easily and deliciously with Baek Jong Won’s golden recipe.
Main Ingredients for Japchae
- 500g glass noodles (about 2 servings)
- 1/4 carrot
- 2 shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 onion
- 2 sheets of square fish cake
- A handful of chives (about 10 strands)
- A little cooking oil (for stir-frying)
- A pinch of salt (for seasoning vegetables)
Japchae Seasoning Sauce
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the glass noodles. Soak the glass noodles in cold water for at least 30 minutes until softened. If you’re short on time, you can boil them in water for 5-7 minutes. When boiling, be careful not to let the water boil over. After boiling or soaking, rinse them under cold water and gently separate them to prevent sticking.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables and fish cake for the Japchae. Finely julienne the carrot, onion, and shiitake mushrooms. Cut the fish cake into similar-sized strips. For a more vibrant look, you can add bell peppers or dried shiitake mushrooms. (Tip: If you’re adding pork for Japchae, lightly season it with salt and pepper beforehand for extra flavor.)
Step 3
Stir-fry each ingredient separately. Lightly oil a pan and stir-fry the carrot, onion, shiitake mushrooms, and fish cake individually. Add a tiny pinch of salt to each ingredient while stir-frying to lightly season them. It’s best to stir-fry the vegetables until they are tender-crisp, not mushy.
Step 4
Let’s make the delicious Japchae seasoning sauce! In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix well. Taste the sauce; it should have a slightly sweet flavor. Adjust the sugar or soy sauce to your preference.
Step 5
Now it’s time to bring all the ingredients together. In a large wok or bowl, add the stir-fried vegetables, fish cake, and the drained glass noodles. Do not turn on the heat yet. Gently toss the ingredients to combine them evenly.
Step 6
Slowly pour the prepared seasoning sauce over the ingredients. Carefully mix everything together so the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Step 7
Now, turn on the heat and stir-fry everything together. Cook over medium-low heat to prevent the noodles from getting soggy and to allow the sauce to be absorbed properly. Continue stir-frying until the glass noodles become translucent and the ingredients are well combined with the sauce.
Step 8
Once almost done, drizzle in 4 Tbsp of sesame oil for extra aroma and flavor. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. If you have chives, add them just before turning off the heat and stir-fry briefly to keep their color and fragrance. Mix well and serve on a plate.
Step 9
And there you have it – delicious Japchae! Personally, I find that adding colorful ingredients like bell peppers or spinach along with the carrots, mushrooms, and chives makes the dish visually appealing. This time, since I only used my favorite ingredients, the colors aren’t as vibrant in the photos. Next time, I’ll be sure to use a variety of colorful vegetables to make it even more appetizing!
