Crisp Cucumber Japchae (Glass Noodle Stir-Fry)
Make Delicious Cucumber Japchae with an Amazing Crispy Texture!
Let’s make some delicious Cucumber Japchae today. This dish is packed with flavor and features a wonderful crunchy texture from the cucumbers.
Main Ingredients- 4 servings Glass noodles (approx. 200-250g)
- 1 Cucumber
- 1/2 Red bell pepper
- 1/2 Yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/3 bunch Spinach (optional, can be substituted with more cucumber)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Excluding the soaking time of 15 to 20 minutes for the glass noodles, the actual stir-frying and mixing time is incredibly short. With this recipe, you can complete a super simple Japchae in just under 15 minutes! It’s a quick and easy recipe for busy days.
Step 2
First, let’s prepare the vegetables that will add flavor and texture to our Japchae. For the cucumber, remove the seeds and julienne it thinly. Julienne the red and yellow bell peppers and the onion into similar thicknesses. If you don’t have spinach, the cucumber alone makes a delicious Japchae. Soak the glass noodles in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes until they are soft and pliable. Be careful not to soak them for too long, as they might become mushy when stir-fried.
Step 3
Prepare two frying pans. In one pan, lightly add some oil and stir-fry all the julienned vegetables – the bell peppers, onion, and spinach if using – over high heat. Stir-fry them just until they begin to soften but still retain their crispness. This quick stir-fry helps maintain their delightful crunch.
Step 4
Now, in the second pan, add a generous amount of oil and stir-fry the soaked glass noodles. Here’s the secret to ensuring your Japchae doesn’t get soggy! Instead of boiling the noodles, coating them in oil while stir-frying helps them stay chewy and prevents them from becoming mushy, even when stored or eaten later. Continue to stir-fry the noodles until they turn translucent.
Step 5
Add the soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper to the stir-fried noodles and continue to cook for a short while until the sauce is well absorbed. Then, add the stir-fried vegetables from the other pan to the noodles. Gently toss everything together until well combined. Finish by drizzling in the sesame oil and sprinkling with toasted sesame seeds for an extra burst of flavor. Stir briefly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 6
And there you have it – a simple yet delicious Cucumber Japchae, showcasing the wonderful combination of chewy noodles and crisp vegetables! Enjoy this incredibly easy and satisfying dish.
