Grandma’s Festive Japchae: A Generous Recipe for Celebrations
Preparing a Feast: Making a Large Batch of Japchae for Holiday Gatherings
A must-have for any Korean holiday celebration! This recipe guides you through making a generous portion of Japchae, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Homemade Japchae adds a touch of warmth and tradition to your festive table.
Core Japchae Ingredients (Serves 20)- Glass noodles (Dangmyeon) – enough for 20 servings
- 1 Carrot
- 1 pack of Oyster mushrooms
- 1 pack of Wood ear mushrooms
- 1.5 Onions
- 550g Pork loin, cut for stir-fry (Japchae-yong)
- 1 Yellow bell pepper
- 1 Red bell pepper
Seasoning and Flavorings- 1/2 cup Soy sauce (approx. 100ml)
- 4-6 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Sesame oil to taste (for nutty aroma)
- Black pepper to taste (to enhance flavor)
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- 1/2 cup Soy sauce (approx. 100ml)
- 4-6 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- Sesame oil to taste (for nutty aroma)
- Black pepper to taste (to enhance flavor)
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by meticulously preparing all the core vegetables and ingredients for your Japchae. First, thinly slice the onions. For the mushrooms, if using dried wood ear mushrooms, soak them thoroughly until rehydrated, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Trim and prepare the oyster mushrooms. Julienne the carrot finely. Slice the yellow and red bell peppers into thin strips for vibrant color. For the pork, lightly season it with soy sauce and pepper to enhance its flavor when stir-fried. Stir-frying each ingredient separately is key to preserving their individual textures and colors when you combine everything later. This careful preparation is the secret to a magnificent large-batch Japchae!
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the glass noodles (dangmyeon) and cook for approximately 6 minutes. Be mindful of the cooking time; overcooking can make the noodles mushy. Immediately drain the cooked noodles and rinse them under cold running water to remove excess starch. Thoroughly drain the noodles in a colander to prevent them from sticking together and to ensure they absorb the sauce evenly.
Step 3
Now, let’s season the noodles. Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Add the drained glass noodles and stir-fry them gently. It’s important to keep the noodles moving to prevent sticking. Season the noodles with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of sugar. This pre-seasoning infuses the noodles with a subtle sweetness and savory flavor, making them incredibly delicious on their own. This step truly elevates the noodle’s taste!
Step 4
It’s time to bring all the prepared components together! Add the stir-fried vegetables, mushrooms, and pork to the pan with the seasoned noodles. Stir in 1.5 tablespoons of minced garlic. Adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce if needed. If you prefer a sweeter dish, add a little more sugar. Finish with a sprinkle of black pepper for depth of flavor and a generous drizzle of fragrant sesame oil. A final scattering of toasted sesame seeds adds the perfect finishing touch. Remember, you can always adjust the saltiness and sweetness to your personal preference!
Step 5
And there you have it – a spectacular 20-serving batch of Japchae, beautifully prepared and ready to impress! This is truly a centerpiece dish for any holiday table.
Step 6
Serve the finished Japchae generously on a large, attractive platter. It’s best enjoyed warm, but the flavors continue to meld and deepen as it sits, making it delicious even after a little while.
