Beef Japchae: The Non-Soggy Recipe
Ultra-Simple Beef Japchae Recipe That Never Gets Soggy (Perfect for Dinner Parties!)
Let’s make japchae that stays perfectly firm and delicious, even when served later.
Main Ingredients- 4 servings glass noodles (dangmyeon)
- 1 onion
- 1/2 carrot
- 1 cup beef (for bulgogi)
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 green bell pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
We’re going to make a delicious japchae, a popular dish for holidays and special occasions. This recipe is so simple, anyone can follow it with ease!
Step 2
First, let’s prepare the vegetables and beef for the japchae. Thinly slice the onion, carrot, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces. Lightly grease a pan and stir-fry the sliced vegetables and beef separately. For the beef, you can lightly season it with pepper and a little soy sauce beforehand for extra flavor. Cook the vegetables and beef until tender and set them aside individually. Now, for the star ingredient, the glass noodles: soak them in lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes before you start cooking. This ensures the noodles are chewy yet tender. Once soaked, drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander.
Step 3
Now, let’s stir-fry the japchae. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan and add the drained glass noodles. Keep stirring to prevent sticking, and sauté until the noodles become tender and soft. Once the noodles are partially cooked, quickly add soy sauce (1/2 cup), sugar (1 Tbsp), a pinch of black pepper, a little sesame oil, and a little toasted sesame seeds. Stir-fry rapidly to ensure the seasoning coats the noodles evenly. It’s best to make the seasoning slightly saltier than you’d prefer at this stage, as it will balance out perfectly once mixed with the vegetables.
Step 4
Add all the pre-cooked vegetables and beef to the seasoned noodles in the pan. Mix everything together gently. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the vegetables mushy and the noodles soggy. Stir-fry just long enough for all the ingredients to combine well, preserving their vibrant colors and textures.
Step 5
There you have it – delicious beef japchae is ready! This recipe ensures your japchae stays firm and tasty, even when served at room temperature or reheated the next day. Enjoy this visually appealing and incredibly flavorful dish to make any occasion extra special!
