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Japchae – Korean Noodles Recipe

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4.1 from 2 reviews

Japchae is a classic Korean noodle dish featuring sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with tender beef, fresh vegetables, and a savory-sweet sauce. This recipe combines marinated beef strips, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper, spinach, and onions for a vibrant, flavorful meal that is perfect for sharing. Quick to prepare and versatile, Japchae is traditionally served warm and garnished with toasted sesame seeds.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Beef and Marinade

  • 300g/10oz boneless beef short ribs (or bone-in beef short ribs trimmed and deboned)
  • 2 tsp soy sauce (all-purpose or light soy)
  • 2 tsp white sugar
  • 2 tsp finely minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (all-purpose or light soy)
  • 2 tsp white sugar
  • 1/2 tsp finely minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Noodles

  • 250g/8oz sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon), dried

Vegetables

  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil (or other neutral oil), divided
  • 1 tsp cooking/kosher salt, divided
  • 1 onion, peeled, halved, sliced into 6mm (1/4″) wedges
  • 3 green onion stems, cut into 5cm (2″) lengths, white and green parts separated
  • 200g/7oz fresh shiitake mushrooms, stem removed, sliced into 5mm (1/5″) slices
  • 2 carrots, peeled, cut into 3mm (1/8″) batons
  • 1 red capsicum/bell pepper, sliced into 0.5cm (1/5″) strips
  • 4 1/2 cups tightly packed baby spinach

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp white sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare and slice beef: Trim excess fat from short ribs and remove meat from bones. Cut the beef into thin strips approximately 5mm thick, 1cm wide, and about 5cm long. For tender cuts like scotch fillet, slice similarly.
  2. Marinate beef: In a bowl, combine beef strips with 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well to coat the beef evenly. Set aside to marinate for 15-20 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
  3. Mix the sauce: In a very large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  4. Cook noodles: Boil sweet potato noodles according to package instructions, usually about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water briefly to stop cooking. Shake off excess water and add noodles to the large bowl with the sauce, but do not mix yet.
  5. Cook batch 1 vegetables: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add sliced onion, the white parts of the green onions, and shiitake mushrooms along with 1/2 tsp salt. Stir constantly and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes until they begin to soften but do not brown. Transfer the vegetables on top of the noodles without mixing.
  6. Cook batch 2 vegetables: Using the same pan on high heat, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Stir fry the carrot batons and bell pepper slices for 1 1/2 minutes. Then add baby spinach, the green parts of the green onions, and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Continue cooking and stirring for another 1 1/2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Transfer this vegetable mix into the bowl on top of noodles without mixing.
  7. Cook beef: In the same pan over high heat, add the final 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add the marinated beef strips and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes until they turn lightly golden and are just cooked through. Add beef on top of the noodles and vegetables. Do not mix yet.
  8. Add sesame seeds and toss: Sprinkle most of the white sesame seeds over the bowl items, reserving some for garnish. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine all flavors and evenly coat the ingredients with sauce.
  9. Serve: Transfer the Japchae to serving bowls. Sprinkle the reserved sesame seeds on top. Serve warm but not piping hot for the best flavor. Enjoy your delicious homemade Korean Japchae!

Notes

  • Note 1: Tenderizing tougher cuts like scotch fillet or rib eye before slicing will improve texture.
  • Note 2: Use either all-purpose soy sauce or light soy sauce according to availability or preference.
  • Note 3: Sweet potato noodles are also known as dangmyeon; ensure to cook fully but do not overcook to avoid mushiness.
  • Note 4: Fresh shiitake mushrooms bring an earthy flavor; dried could be used if rehydrated.
  • Note 5: Marinating beef for 15-20 minutes is sufficient to develop flavor without needing to marinate longer.
  • Note 6: Refer to step photos or videos for exact slicing techniques for even cooking.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Korean

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/japchae-korean-noodles-recipe/