Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid Noodles: A Special Recipe for a Festive Table
Squid Japchae with a Unique Spicy and Sweet Twist
Japchae, a staple for holidays and special occasions, can sometimes feel a bit monotonous. This is where our ‘Squid Japchae’ comes in, offering a delightful variation with fresh squid and a delicious spicy and sweet glaze! Experience the wonderful harmony of chewy squid, crisp vegetables, and perfectly cooked noodles that don’t get soggy. This recipe makes a generous portion, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. It’s also an excellent dish to share at volunteer events or church gatherings when you want to offer food made with care. Instead of the usual japchae, let’s make your special days even more memorable with this unique Squid Japchae. Try this recipe today!
Main Ingredients- 1 squid
- 250g glass noodles (soaked in water for at least 2 hours)
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 carrot
- 1/2 green bell pepper or red bell pepper
- 2 dried shiitake mushrooms (or 2 fresh shiitake mushrooms)
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Squid Marinade- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1/2 tsp ginger syrup (or 1/4 tsp minced ginger)
- A pinch of black pepper
Noodle Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 cup (200ml) water
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp red chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1/2 tsp ginger syrup (or 1/4 tsp minced ginger)
- A pinch of black pepper
Noodle Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 cup (200ml) water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the squid marinade by mixing all the marinade ingredients: 2 Tbsp cooking oil, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp red chili powder, 1/2 tsp ginger syrup (or 1/4 tsp minced ginger), and a pinch of black pepper. If you don’t have ginger syrup, you can substitute it with minced ginger.
Step 2
Slice all the vegetables (onion, carrot, bell pepper, shiitake mushrooms) thinly and lengthwise, suitable for japchae. Including carrots and bell peppers adds lovely color to the dish.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium heat, add half of the prepared squid marinade, and bring it to a gentle simmer to release its fragrance. This helps the marinade penetrate deeper.
Step 4
Add the coarsely chopped squid to the pan and stir-fry quickly to coat it evenly with the marinade. Cook over high heat for just 1-2 minutes to prevent the squid from becoming tough and chewy.
Step 5
Remove the stir-fried squid from the pan and set it aside. This step helps maintain the squid’s tender, chewy texture.
Step 6
In a clean pan, add a little cooking oil. Then, add the glass noodles (soaked for at least 2 hours) and the noodle seasoning ingredients (2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, a pinch of black pepper). Stir-fry the noodles until they absorb the seasoning and become moist.
Step 7
Once the noodles are partially cooked and seasoned, pour in 1 cup (200ml) of water. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to stir-fry for about 4 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce and the noodles to absorb the flavors. Adjust the water as needed to ensure the noodles are chewy and not mushy.
Step 8
When the noodles are nearly done cooking, add all the prepared vegetables: sliced onion, carrot, bell pepper, and shiitake mushrooms.
Step 9
Add 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce and 1 Tbsp red chili powder to the pan. Stir-fry everything together with the noodles and vegetables until the vegetables are just tender-crisp. Sautéing briefly will help retain their fresh, crunchy texture.
Step 10
Return the reserved stir-fried squid to the pan. Gently toss everything together to combine well. Mix gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 11
Finally, drizzle with 1 Tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a fragrant finish. Your delicious Spicy and Sweet Squid Japchae is ready! It’s best enjoyed while hot.
