Easy Japchae
Delicious Japchae Your Whole Family Will Love, Made Easily and Quickly at Home!
Japchae is a dish that requires some effort but is indispensable for parties and holidays due to its fantastic taste and visual appeal. However, with this recipe, you can skip the troublesome steps and stir-fry the glass noodles directly in the sauce without pre-boiling them, allowing you to enjoy impressive Japchae quickly and deliciously at home. Make your dining table joyful on special occasions or even on ordinary days!
Main Ingredients
- Glass noodles 300g
- Beef (for stir-fry) 200g
- Fresh chives 1 bunch
- Carrot 1/4
- Onion 1/2
- Red bell pepper or red chili pepper 1
- Sesame oil, a little
- Toasted sesame seeds, a little
- Salt, to taste
Glass Noodle Sauce
- Soy sauce 1/2 cup
- Mirin or cooking wine 1/4 cup
- Water 1 cup
- Sugar 3 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a little
- Grapeseed oil or vegetable oil 4 Tbsp
Beef Marinade
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Minced green onion 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Black pepper, a little
- Sesame oil, a little
- Soy sauce 1/2 cup
- Mirin or cooking wine 1/4 cup
- Water 1 cup
- Sugar 3 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a little
- Grapeseed oil or vegetable oil 4 Tbsp
Beef Marinade
- Soy sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Minced green onion 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Black pepper, a little
- Sesame oil, a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables. Wash the chives and cut them into 4cm lengths. Peel the carrot and onion, then julienne them into 4cm lengths. Julienne the red bell pepper or red chili pepper similarly for a vibrant appearance.
Step 2
Pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then, mix the beef with the ‘Beef Marinade’ ingredients: 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp minced green onion, 1 tsp minced garlic, a pinch of black pepper, and a little sesame oil. Marinate well by gently massaging it into the meat. This step makes the beef tender and flavorful.
Step 3
For the glass noodles, soak them in lukewarm water (around 40°C or 104°F) for about 30 minutes, rather than cold water. Soaking them until soft ensures they absorb the sauce well and don’t become too chewy later.
Step 4
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add 1-2 Tbsp of grapeseed oil. Add the julienned carrots and red chili peppers (or bell peppers) and stir-fry them briefly until slightly softened. It’s important to stir-fry them until their colors become vibrant. Seasoning with a tiny pinch of salt while cooking enhances the vegetables’ natural sweetness.
Step 5
In the same pan used for the carrots and peppers, add the sliced onions and stir-fry until they become translucent. The sweetness from the cooked onions will add depth to the dish.
Step 6
Now, add the marinated beef to the pan. Use chopsticks to break apart the meat and stir-fry until it is fully cooked and has changed color. The juices released during cooking will contribute to the rich flavor of the Japchae.
Step 7
To the pan with all the stir-fried ingredients, add the ‘Glass Noodle Sauce’ ingredients: 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin (or cooking wine), 1 cup water, 3 Tbsp sugar, and a little black pepper. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat to create the sauce.
Step 8
1. Once the sauce is boiling, add the soaked and drained glass noodles. 2. As the glass noodles begin to cook and absorb the sauce, stir them occasionally. Continue stir-frying until most of the sauce has been absorbed, leaving about 2 Tablespoons behind. Be careful to prevent the noodles from sticking to the pan.
Step 9
When the sauce has coated the noodles and they are almost fully cooked, add the stir-fried beef and the julienned chives to the pan. Adding the chives at this stage and cooking them briefly will help retain their crisp texture and fresh aroma.
Step 10
Stir-fry gently until all the ingredients are well combined. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle generously with sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and rich flavor.
Step 11
Transfer the finished Japchae to a serving dish. For an even more visually appealing presentation, you can garnish it with finely shredded egg crepe (tamagoyaki). Enjoy your delicious homemade Japchae!
