Japchae Recipes

JAPCHAE (STIR-FRIED STARCH NOODLES WITH BEEF AND VEGETABLES)

Steps:

• Clean all the ingredients. Cut the carrot into matchsticks. Thinly slice the onion. Run the knife through the white parts of the scallions lengthwise, if thick, and then cut into about 2-inch long pieces. Remove the stems from the mushrooms, and slice into 1/4-inch thin strips. Cut the meat into thin 2-inch long strips.
• Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
• In a large non-stick pan (see note 2), bring about 5 cups of water to a boil, and cook the noodles until completely translucent and soft (6 to 8 minutes). Drain in a strainer and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Roughly cut the noodles with a pair of kitchen shears or a knife into 6 -7 inch lengths. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Mix well with 3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce.
• Fill the same pan with 2 cups of water. When water boils, blanch the spinach only until wilted. Drain quickly and shock in cold water. Squeeze out water, run a knife through the squeezed spinach a couple of times, and lightly season with salt.
• Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the skillet, and stir fry the noodles over medium to medium high heat, stirring frequently, until translucent and a bit sticky (about 4 minutes). Transfer back to the mixing bowl.
• Add 1/2 tablespoon of oil to the pan, and stir fry the carrot over medium high heat, sprinkling with a pinch of salt. When the carrot sticks are half way cooked, about a minute, push them to one side of the pan to make room for the onion slices. Stir-fry the onion slices until translucent, sprinkling with a pinch of salt. Stir-in the scallion and cook briefly. Do not overcook. The vegetables should be crisp. Transfer to the bowl with the noodles.
• Add the beef and mushrooms along with 2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and cook until the meat is cooked through, 2 - 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the noodles.
• Add the spinach and the remaining sauce to the bowl with all other prepared ingredients. Toss well by hand. Adjust the seasoning to taste by adding a little more (start with 1/2 teaspoon) soy sauce and/or sugar as necessary.

JAPCHAE (SWEET POTATO STARCH NOODLES STIR FRIED WITH VEGETABLES)

Steps:

• Put the beef and shiitake mushrooms into a bowl and mix with 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil with a wooden spoon or by hand. Cover and keep it in the fridge.
• Crack the egg and separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Remove the white stringy stuff (chalaza) from the yolk. Beat in a pinch of salt with a fork.
• Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil to a heated nonstick pan. Swirl the oil around so it covers the pan, and then wipe off the excess heated oil with a kitchen towel so only a thin layer remains on the pan. To keep the jidan as yellow as possible, turn off the heat and pour the egg yolk mixture into the pan. Tilt it around so the mixture spreads thinly. Let it cook using the remaining heat in the pan for about 1 minute. Flip it over and let it sit on the pan for 1 more minute. Let it cool and slice it into thin strips.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and blanch for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then take it out with a slotted spoon or strainer. Let the water keep boiling to cook the noodles.
• Rinse the spinach in cold water to stop it from cooking. Squeeze it with your hands to remove any excess water. Cut it a few times and put it into a bowl. Mix with 1 teaspoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil. Put it into a large mixing bowl.
• Put the noodles into the boiling water, cover and cook for 1 minute. Stir them with a wooden spoon so they don't stick together. Cover and keep cooking for another 7 minutes until the noodles are soft and chewy.
• Strain and cut them a few times with kitchen scissors. Put the noodles into the large bowl next to the spinach. Add 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Mix well by hand or a wooden spoon. This process will season the noodles and also keep the noodles from sticking to each other.
• Heat up a skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil with the onion, the green onion, and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry about 2 minutes until the onion looks a little translucent. Transfer to the noodle bowl.
• Heat up the skillet again and add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Add the white mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until softened and a little juicy. Transfer to the noodle bowl.
• Heat up the skillet and add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Add the carrot and stir-fry for 20 seconds. Add the red bell pepper strips and stir-fry another 20 seconds. Transfer to the noodle bowl.
• Heat up the skillet and add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Add the beef and mushroom mixture and stir fry for a few minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the mushrooms are softened and shiny. Transfer to the noodle bowl.
• Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil to the mixing bowl full of ingredients. Mix all together by hand.
• Add the egg garnish and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds. Mix it and transfer it to a large plate to serve.

JAPCHAE

Steps:

• For the beef: Cut the beef against the grain into slices about 1/4-inch thick and 2 inches long. Place in a medium bowl with the soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, sugar and a few turns of freshly ground pepper. Mix until the meat is completely coated and set aside.
• For the onions: Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring constantly, until just tender with a little bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and set aside; reserve the skillet.
• For the bell peppers: Wipe the skillet clean, add the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and cook, stirring constantly, until just tender and beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and set aside; reserve the skillet.
• For the carrots: Wipe the skillet clean, add the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and cook, stirring constantly, until just tender, but not brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and set aside; reserve the skillet.
• For the eggs: Whisk together the eggs and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until incorporated. Wipe the skillet clean. Add the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Pour in the eggs and and swirl the pan until the mixture covers the entire surface area. Cook until the eggs are set on the bottom, about 1 minute. Flip carefully to keep the egg crepe in one piece and cook 1 minute more. Slide onto a plate or cutting board to cool, then cut the crepe into 4 equal strips horizontally. Layer all the strips together and cut into 1/4-inch strips, then set aside; reserve the skillet.
• For the mushrooms: Wipe the skillet clean, add the vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned, 6 to 7 minutes, stirring halfway through. Transfer the mushrooms to a medium bowl. Add the soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil, mix well and set aside; reserve the skillet.
• For the spinach: Bring a large pot of water to boil over medium-high heat and prepare an ice water bath. Add the spinach to the boiling water and blanch until it turns bright green, about 30 seconds. Remove the spinach with tongs or hand-held strainer and transfer to the ice bath immediately; reserve the pot and water. Once the spinach is completely cooled, remove it and squeeze dry. Cut the spinach into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the sesame oil, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well and set aside.
• For the japchae: Bring the pot of water back to the boil. Add the noodles and cook, stirring constantly to ensure the noodles don't stick on bottom of the pot, until noodles become mostly clear but are still opaque in the center and bend over the handle of a large wooden spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. (At this point, the noodles aren't cooked through all the way.)
• Drain in a strainer and rinse under cold running water, rubbing the noodles between your fingers and gently massaging them in the water. Drain and then rinse again, repeating 2 more times to remove any excess starch. Set aside in the strainer and allow to drain well.
• Wipe the skillet clean. Add the 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring often, until browned (being careful not to burn the garlic), 5 to 6 minutes. Set aside; reserve the skillet.
• Wipe the skillet clean. Add the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the drained noodles and cook, stirring and mixing constantly with tongs, until there is a slight cooked smell of starch, the noodles are completely coated in oil and any moisture is cooked off, 6 to 7 minutes. (You'll hear a lot of sizzling sounds starting around the 2 minute mark; that's fine.)
• Add the soy sauce, reduce the heat to low, and loosen the noodles back up again for 1 to 2 minutes; they will turn golden brown from the soy sauce. Once all the soy sauce has absorbed, transfer the noodles to a large mixing bowl. Immediately add the sesame oil, sugar and rice syrup and toss until incorporated and the sugar has melted.
• Add the cooked onions, peppers, carrots, mushrooms, spinach and beef and toss until thoroughly mixed. Add the eggs and gently toss again (try to avoid breaking the strips). Transfer the japchae to a large serving bowl and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold (see Cook's Note).

JAPCHAE

Steps:

• Whisk soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a bowl until sugar is dissolved into sauce.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook sweet potato noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 6 to 7 minutes. Rinse noodles under cold water and drain. Transfer noodles to a bowl, add 2 tablespoons sauce, and toss to coat.
• Squeeze beef under running water until juices run clear. Mix beef and 1 tablespoon sauce together in a bowl.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook spinach in the boiling water until just wilted, about 1 minute. Drain quickly and transfer spinach to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze excess water from spinach, place spinach in a large bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook onion until fragrant but crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer onion to the bowl with spinach. Heat another 1 teaspoon oil in the same skillet. Cook mushrooms in the hot oil until lightly browned but still firm, 1 to 2 minutes; add to onion mixture. Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in the same skillet. Cook carrot in the hot oil until lightly browned but still crisp, 1 to 2 minutes; add to onion mixture.
• Cook and stir beef in the same skillet until browned, 1 to 2 minutes; add to onion mixture. Cook and stir noodles in the same skillet until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes; add to beef-onion mixture. Add remaining sauce to beef-noodles mixture and toss to coat using your hands.

JAPCHAE (KOREAN GLASS NOODLES)

Steps:

• Line three baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Cut the beef into 1/2-inch strips. Place in a medium bowl, and add sugar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, smashed garlic, ginger and black pepper. Toss well to combine. Set aside for 30 minutes.
• If making pickled lotus root, slice roots into 1/8-inch-thick discs, and place in a medium bowl filled with cold water. Set aside. Place a colander in the sink. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a medium sauce pot. Blanch lotus-root slices for 1 minute, then drain.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 6 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar and 3 tablespoons sugar. Set over medium heat, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to ensure sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature, then pour over cooled lotus root. Set aside.
• Place noodles in a large bowl. Cover with warm tap water, and set aside to soak for 30 minutes.
• Fill a medium pot with 3 quarts water, and bring to a boil. Season with 1 tablespoon salt. Add spinach, and blanch for 10 seconds, then use a spider or tongs to remove to a parchment-lined tray. Spread out into a single layer, and allow to cool, then squeeze out any excess water and chop roughly.
• Fill a large pot with 6 quarts of water, cover, and set over high heat to come to a boil.
• Set a large sauté pan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When it shimmers, add scallions and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 2 minutes until they are tender but not completely soft. Transfer to a baking sheet, and spread into a shallow pile to cool quickly.
• Return pan to high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When it shimmers, add carrots and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 6 minutes until tender but not completely soft. Transfer to sheet with scallions, and spread into another shallow pile to cool quickly. Repeat with bell peppers.
• Return pan to high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When it shimmers, add shiitakes, and cook until lightly caramelized, about 3 minutes. Move mushrooms to the edges of the pan, add 1 teaspoon oil to the center of the pan and add garlic. Turn off heat and allow garlic to gently sizzle for about 10 seconds, then stir garlic into mushrooms to prevent it from taking on any color. Transfer to second parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool, then squeeze out any extra water.
• Return pan to high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When it shimmers, add onions and a pinch of salt. Sauté for about 8 minutes until lightly caramelized and translucent, but still a little crunchy within. Transfer to sheet with mushrooms and spread into another shallow pile to cool quickly.
• Return pan to high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When it shimmers, add beef and sauté for about 3 minutes, until meat is tender and barely cooked through and just starting to caramelize. Transfer to sheet with onions, and spread out to cool quickly.
• Set a colander in the sink. Add 3 tablespoons soy sauce to large pot of boiling water. Add noodles and cook for 4 minutes until tender, then drain into colander, rinsing with cold water. When noodles are warm but not hot, drain and transfer to a large bowl. If noodles are unmanageably long, use kitchen shears to shorten them. Add 3 tablespoons soy sauce, ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame oil, ¼ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
• Add all the vegetables and beef to the noodles. Toss thoroughly with hands to ensure everything is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning with soy sauce, sesame oil and salt as needed. Transfer to serving dish.
• Set a large nonstick pan over medium heat, and add 1 teaspoon oil. Add eggs and reduce heat to low. Cook into a thin omelet, flipping before it takes on any color. Turn omelet out onto a cutting board, and julienne into thin strips.
• Garnish noodles with egg and nori strips and lotus root, if using. Serve at room temperature.

JAPCHAE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until sugar dissolves; set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain. Run under cold water to stop cooking; drain again, shaking to remove excess water. Transfer to a bowl and toss with sesame oil. Using kitchen shears, cut noodles in a few places.
• Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron) over high until smoking, 4 to 5 minutes. Add oil and swirl to coat. Add mushrooms and scallion lengths; cook, stirring, until softened and charred in places, 2 to 3 minutes. Add carrots, season with salt, and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add spinach, soy mixture, and noodles. Gently toss to combine. Cook until heated through and sauce coats noodles, 2 minutes more. Adjust seasoning as desired. Sprinkle with scallion tops and sesame seeds; serve.

JAPCHAE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Spread the tuxedo sesame seeds on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the white seeds turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Season the boiling water heavily with salt. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until soft with a little bite, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Drain and toss immediately with the sesame oil in a large bowl prevent sticking. If the noodles are very long, cut with scissors to your preferred length if desired.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the avocado oil and, when shimmering, add the mushrooms and let them sit untouched until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the carrots and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and shallots, season lightly with salt and cook until the zucchini starts to wilt and the shallots are translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds before shutting off the heat.
• Whisk together the tamari and sugar in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
• Pile the spinach and scallions on top of the cooked vegetables. Pour the drained, hot noodles on top of the spinach and scallions. Add the tamari mixture and toasted sesame seeds and toss to mix. Serve hot, at room temperature or cold.

KOREAN SWEET POTATO NOODLES (JAPCHAE)

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, mirin, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, garlic, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Add steak; stir to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 pinch pepper in a large bowl; stir sauce well.
• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil; stir in noodles and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain. Add noodles to sauce; toss to coat.
• Whisk egg in a bowl. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat; pour in egg. Cook until firm, about 1 minute per side. Slice into strips.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spinach and cook, uncovered, until just bright green, about 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately immerse in ice water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrot and onion; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in steak and marinade; cook until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in spinach. Add noodles and egg; cook and stir until well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes.

SPRING VEGETABLE JAPCHAE (KOREAN GLASS NOODLES)

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles until tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Add half of the sauce (about 3 tablespoons) and toss to evenly coat.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons safflower oil over medium. Add onion and carrots, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and half the remaining sauce (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the noodles.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon safflower oil and the bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. Add snap peas and asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture into the bowl with the noodles. Add the remaining sauce and toss until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide japchae among bowls and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve warm or at room temperature.

INSTANT POT JAPCHAE

Steps:

• If dangmyeon noodles are long, carefully cut the noodles with scissors to fit the diameter of the inner pot. Lay the noodles in a criss-cross pattern to prevent clumping.
• Lay the carrots, onions, and mushrooms on top of the noodles.
• In a small bowl, whisk sugar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and ¾ cup of water until well-combined. Drizzle the liquid mixture over the vegetables and noodles.
• Turn and lock the lid and move the steam release valve to the sealed position. Select Pressure Cook on High and program for 3 minutes. When the cooking is complete, quick-release pressure manually and press Cancel. Unlock and carefully remove the lid.
• Select Sauté on Low. Add ¼ cup water, baby spinach, scallion, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with the noodles. If the noodles are clumped together, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to loosen it up. Keep sautéing ingredients together until the baby spinach has wilted and water is absorbed, about 2 to 3 minutes. Press Cancel.
• Transfer japchae to a bowl. Garnish with roasted sesame seeds and serve.