Beef, Fish Cake & Chive Japchae: The No-Soak, Non-Soggy Recipe
Perfect for Special Occasions! Delicious Beef, Fish Cake & Chive Japchae That Stays Firm
Experience a delightful harmony of textures and savory flavors! This Japchae recipe is packed with fish cake and chives, making it a universally loved dish. Impress your guests with this non-soggy Japchae that adds elegance to any celebratory meal.
Ingredients- Glass noodles (dangmyeon) for 4 servings
- 1 carrot (approx. 100g)
- 1 small bunch of chives (approx. 100g)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (100ml)
- 1 onion (approx. 150g)
- 100g beef (thinly sliced for bulgogi or japchae)
- 2 Tbsp sugar (30g)
- A little sesame oil
- 1 handful dried shiitake mushrooms (approx. 50g)
- 3 sheets of rectangular fish cake (approx. 150g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s get started on a Japchae recipe designed to stay perfectly firm, even after sitting. Follow these steps for a delicious experience!
Step 2
First, prepare your ingredients. Pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Marinate it with 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, a little sesame oil, and a pinch of pepper for about 10 minutes. Julienne the carrot, onion, shiitake mushrooms, and fish cake. Cut the chives into 5-6 cm lengths. Heat 2 Tbsp cooking oil in a pan. Stir-fry the marinated beef until cooked through. Then, add the julienned onion, carrot, shiitake mushrooms, and fish cake. Sauté them just until they soften slightly. (For an even cleaner taste and texture, you can stir-fry each vegetable separately before combining.)
Step 3
Soak the glass noodles in cold water for at least 30 minutes until fully rehydrated. Drain them well and boil in water for 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, drain thoroughly. While the noodles are still hot, toss them with 1 Tbsp of sesame oil to prevent sticking. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds. Mix well until the noodles are evenly coated and seasoned. (Seasoning the noodles in advance helps them absorb flavor better.)
Step 4
Add the stir-fried beef and vegetables from Step 1 to the seasoned noodles. Now, gently mix everything together using a spatula or chopsticks until all ingredients are well combined. Once mixed, stir-fry over medium heat for just 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the noodles soggy.
Step 5
Finally, add the cut chives and toss briefly with the residual heat to finish. This will result in a delicious Beef, Fish Cake, and Chive Japchae! Drizzle with a little more sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for extra aroma and visual appeal. This method ensures your Japchae stays perfectly chewy and not soggy, tasting just as good as when it was freshly made. Make your next special meal even more memorable with this homemade Japchae!
