Easy & Delicious Japchae: The Golden Recipe
A Celebratory Dish for Everyone: Easy & Delicious Japchae – The Golden Recipe
Japchae, perfect not just for special occasions but for any time you crave a flavorful meal! Here’s how to make it easily and deliciously with basic ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 300g beef for Japchae, julienned
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 carrot, thinly sliced
- 4 servings glass noodles (approx. 200-250g)
- 1 handful oyster mushrooms, trimmed and shredded
- 1 handful chives, cut into approx. 10cm lengths
- 1/4 green onion, finely chopped (optional, for aroma)
- Pinch of salt for stir-frying vegetables
- Pinch of black pepper for stir-frying vegetables
Beef Marinade- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, pat the beef dry with paper towels. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 Tbsp oyster sauce. Mix well with the beef and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Step 2
Wash and peel the onion and carrot, then slice them into thin strips (about 0.5cm thick). Trim the tough ends of the oyster mushrooms and gently shred them into bite-sized pieces. Wash the chives and cut them into approximately 10cm lengths.
Step 3
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the chopped green onion (if using) and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the marinated beef, breaking it apart with chopsticks or a spatula as it cooks. Stir-fry just until the outside of the beef is no longer pink. Overcooking will make the beef tough.
Step 4
Transfer the cooked beef to a separate plate. This step helps keep the beef tender.
Step 5
Add a little more cooking oil to the same pan. Stir-fry the shredded oyster mushrooms and carrots. Season with a pinch of salt and a bit of black pepper. Cook until the vegetables release some of their moisture and are slightly tender. Be careful not to overcook the mushrooms, as they can become watery.
Step 6
Once the mushrooms and carrots are partially cooked, add the sliced onions. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent. The sweetness of the cooked onions will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 7
Return the cooked beef to the pan and lightly toss it with the other vegetables. Stir-fry briefly to combine all the ingredients.
Step 8
Meanwhile, in another pot, bring a generous amount of water to a boil. Add the glass noodles and cook for 6 minutes until tender. Immediately drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch. This prevents them from becoming mushy. Drain thoroughly.
Step 9
In a small saucepan, combine all the Japchae Sauce ingredients: 100ml soy sauce, 3 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp corn syrup, 1/2 Tbsp black pepper, 3 Tbsp mirin, 3 Tbsp sesame oil, and 2 Tbsp oyster sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce the heat to low and add the drained glass noodles. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the noodles are evenly colored with the sauce. This step is crucial for the noodles to absorb the flavors.
Step 10
Transfer the stir-fried vegetables and beef from the pan to a large bowl or the pan itself if it’s large enough. Add the sauce-coated glass noodles. The chives have not been added yet.
Step 11
Now, add the chopped chives to the pan. Stir in an additional 2 Tbsp of oyster sauce – this is a secret to boosting the umami! Toss everything together until well combined.
Step 12
Stir-fry just until the chives are slightly wilted. Overcooking the chives will diminish their fresh color and crisp texture. Drizzle with sesame oil for a final touch of aroma and give everything one last gentle mix to finish.
Step 13
Finally, sprinkle with a little more black pepper to taste if desired. Your delicious Japchae is ready! Serve generously and enjoy.
