Super Simple 15-Minute Japchae: Delicious Japchae That Won’t Get Mushy
Make Delicious Japchae in Just 15 Minutes: The Secret to Non-Soggy Noodles!
Let’s make a simple and easy Japchae for the weekend. It’s quick, delicious, and perfect for a busy schedule.
Main Ingredients
- Japchae noodles for 2 servings
- 1/2 carrot
- 1 handful of shiitake mushrooms (if using dried, rehydrate first)
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 30g pork for stir-frying (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 handful of green onions
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This Japchae recipe is incredibly simple, designed to be made in under 15 minutes of actual cooking time. The key is to pre-soak the noodles, which allows you to cook everything in one pan without separately stir-frying each ingredient. It saves a lot of time and is absolutely delicious!
Step 2
Before you begin cooking, the most important first step is to soak your japchae noodles. If you’re using dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrate them in water now. Soak the japchae noodles in lukewarm water for at least 30 minutes. This ensures they’ll be tender and ready to use while you prepare the other ingredients, eliminating the need to boil or stir-fry them separately.
Step 3
Once the noodles are soaking, it’s time to prepare your vegetables. Finely julienne the carrot, bell peppers, and onion. Next, heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until fragrant and the oil is infused with their flavor (this is called ‘pa-gi-reum’ or green onion oil), which adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the dish.
Step 4
Once the green onion oil is ready, add all your prepared vegetables (carrots, onions, bell peppers, and rehydrated shiitake mushrooms) to the pan. Stir-fry them together until they are slightly softened but still retain a bit of crispness. Once cooked, transfer the vegetables to a separate bowl and set aside.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to stir-fry the soaked japchae noodles. You can use the same pan (wipe it clean if needed) or a fresh one. Add a little oil to the pan over medium heat. Add the soaked and drained japchae noodles and stir-fry, gently separating them so they don’t clump together.
Step 6
As the noodles become translucent and tender, it’s time to add the seasonings. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and a pinch of black pepper. Continue to stir-fry, ensuring the sauce coats the noodles evenly. Finally, sprinkle in the toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and aroma.
Step 7
For the final step, add the stir-fried vegetables and thinly sliced pork (which you can quickly stir-fry beforehand if you like, or add it raw to cook with the noodles and vegetables). Toss everything together gently to combine and allow the flavors to meld. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and well-seasoned. A final drizzle of sesame oil (2 tsp) will enhance the nutty aroma and taste.
Step 8
This method of soaking the noodles and then stir-frying them with the vegetables and seasonings results in Japchae that stays wonderfully chewy and doesn’t become soggy, even when cooled. It’s delicious served immediately or at room temperature.
