Golden Recipe Delicious Japchae
The Ultimate Japchae Recipe for Special Occasions: Easy & Flavorful with a Magic Sauce
Japchae, a beloved staple for celebrations, holidays, and birthdays, can sometimes feel daunting to perfect. Do you find yourself questioning how long to soak or boil the noodles, what ingredients to use, or how to balance the seasoning between the noodles and vegetables? For many, especially beginner cooks, it can be a source of confusion! I’ve personally experimented for a long time to master this dish. Today, I’m sharing an incredibly easy method to make delicious Japchae. You won’t need to cook each ingredient separately, and I’ll even reveal my secret recipe for a mouthwatering Japchae sauce. Get ready to impress your family with this simplified yet incredibly flavorful Japchae!
Main Ingredients- Glass noodles (Dangmyeon) 300g
- Square fish cakes 3 sheets
- Carrot 1/2 piece (approx. 50g)
- Spinach 5 small bunches
- Sesame oil, a drizzle
- Toasted sesame seeds, a sprinkle
Sauce- Soy sauce 9 Tbsp
- Sugar 3 Tbsp
- Vegetable oil 4 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 9 Tbsp
- Sugar 3 Tbsp
- Vegetable oil 4 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soak the glass noodles in cold water for about 1 hour. Avoid using lukewarm or hot water, as this can make the noodles too soft and mushy. Once soaked, drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander before cooking.
Step 2
While the noodles are soaking, prepare your vegetables. For this recipe, we’re using fish cakes instead of meat for a cleaner, lighter taste. Slice half a carrot (about 50g) into thin matchsticks. Cut about 60g of Korean sausage (similar to Spam or sausage for kimbap, about 1/3 of a standard roll) into thin matchsticks as well. Thinly slice 3 sheets of square fish cake.
Step 3
Thinly slice half an onion. For the spinach, take 5 small bunches, trim off the roots, discard any wilted leaves, and carefully separate the leaves. Wash the spinach 2-3 times under running water until clean, then gently squeeze out excess water.
Step 4
In a small bowl, combine 9 tablespoons of soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved to create the flavorful Japchae sauce. Set aside.
Step 5
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced carrots, fish cakes, Korean sausage, and onion. Stir-fry the ingredients until they are lightly cooked. There’s no need to season them individually at this stage; they will absorb the sauce later.
Step 6
Once the stir-fried vegetables are almost tender, add the prepared spinach to the pan. Spinach wilts very quickly, so adding it last helps retain its fresh, slightly crisp texture.
Step 7
Gently toss the spinach with the other ingredients for just a few seconds until it begins to wilt, then immediately turn off the heat. The preparation of the additional ingredients is now complete.
Step 8
Now it’s time to cook the noodles. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked glass noodles and cook for only about 2 minutes. Since the noodles will be stir-fried again, overcooking them will make them mushy. Do not rinse them under cold water after cooking.
Step 9
Drain the cooked noodles well and immediately add them to the same pot or pan where you stir-fried the vegetables.
Step 10
Pour the prepared Japchae sauce evenly over the noodles and vegetables. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the sauce coats all the ingredients thoroughly.
Step 11
Return the pan to medium-high heat and stir-fry for about 1 minute. This brief stir-fry will help the sauce meld with the ingredients, deepening the flavor. Turn off the heat after 1 minute.
Step 12
For the finishing touch, drizzle a good amount of sesame oil over the Japchae and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma and enhances the overall deliciousness. Enjoy your homemade Japchae that’s sure to please everyone!
Step 13
Taste the Japchae and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more soy sauce. If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more sugar. A sprinkle of black pepper can also be a nice addition.
Step 14
Your beautifully presented Japchae is ready! This simplified golden recipe involves stir-frying the ingredients together, combining them with the noodles, saucing, and a quick final stir-fry. By not pre-seasoning the individual ingredients, the sauce harmonizes everything perfectly during the final cooking stage, resulting in an ideal flavor balance.
Step 15
The vibrant colors of red, green, and yellow make this Japchae visually appealing. The final stir-fry ensures the noodles remain distinct and chewy, preventing them from becoming sticky. Enjoying warm, moist Japchae right after it’s made is incredibly satisfying! This golden recipe is a guaranteed hit for any celebration, holiday, or family meal. Enjoy your delicious homemade Japchae!
