Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles with Vegetables)

  • Total time - 45 minutes
  • Preparation - 25 minutes
  • Cooking time - 20 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Korea
A bowl of colorful and glossy Japchae noodles with vegetables and beef.

The main secret to great Japchae is to cook each ingredient separately. This preserves their unique texture and flavor. By mixing them thoroughly at the end, you create a harmonious dish. The sweet potato starch noodles are naturally gluten-free and a healthy choice.

Ingredients

For the Noodles and Vegetables

  • 200 g dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles)
  • 200 g beef (e.g., sirloin), sliced into thin strips
  • 1 bunch spinach
  • 1 piece carrots, sliced into thin strips
  • 0.5 piece onion, sliced into strips
  • 6 pieces shiitake mushrooms, sliced

For the Sauce and Marinade

  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the noodles

Boil the dangmyeon noodles according to the package directions, which usually takes 5-7 minutes. Drain the noodles, rinse them under cold water, and drizzle with sesame oil to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 2: Prepare the meat and vegetables

Marinate the beef slices in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, a pinch of sugar, and sesame oil. In a separate pan, stir-fry each ingredient individually with a little oil and a pinch of salt. Sauté the beef and set it aside. Then, stir-fry the carrots, onions, mushrooms, and finally the spinach.

Step 3: Prepare the sauce

In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and black pepper. Create a smooth sauce.

Step 4: Combine and serve

Add the cooked noodles and all the stir-fried ingredients to the bowl with the sauce. Toss everything thoroughly with your hands or kitchen tongs to combine all the flavors. Adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce or sugar if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.