Quick Noodle Tteokbokki & Fish Cake Japchae: A Fridge Clean-Out Recipe
Easy Japchae Using Leftover Grilled Zucchini, Noodle Tteokbokki, and Fish Cakes
Transform leftover grilled zucchini into a delightful and flavorful Japchae! This recipe uses convenient noodle tteokbokki and thinly sliced fish cakes, offering a satisfying meal without the need for traditional glass noodles. Perfect for a quick snack or a unique dish!
Main Ingredients- 200g Grilled Zucchini, thinly sliced
- 400g Noodle Tteokbokki (thin type, no need to soak)
- 400g Sliced Fish Cake (use pre-sliced or thinly slice regular fish cake)
- 1 Onion, thinly sliced
- 4 Korean Green Peppers (Jalapeño type), thinly sliced
- 1 Red Chili Pepper, seeded and thinly sliced (for garnish)
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for cooking, ‘Mat Ganjang’)
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A sprinkle of Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for cooking, ‘Mat Ganjang’)
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A sprinkle of Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, take the grilled zucchini and slice it into thin, long strips. Since it’s already cooked, this step is quick and easy.
Step 2
Prepare the noodle tteokbokki. These are thin and do not require soaking in water, so you can use them directly. They will provide a wonderfully chewy texture.
Step 3
Get your sliced fish cakes ready. You can use store-bought sliced fish cakes for convenience, or thinly slice a regular block of fish cake yourself.
Step 4
Thinly slice the onion. Also, thinly slice the Korean green peppers. Heat a little cooking oil in a pan and sauté the onion and green peppers separately until they are slightly tender but still crisp. Avoid overcooking to maintain their fresh crunch.
Step 5
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce (Mat Ganjang), brown sugar, cooking oil, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add the water and whisk everything together to create the sauce. Pour this sauce into the pan and bring it to a boil, allowing it to simmer and thicken slightly.
Step 6
Once the sauce is bubbling, add the noodle tteokbokki to the pan. Stir-fry them for about 1-2 minutes, allowing them to soak up the delicious sauce. They will become even more flavorful.
Step 7
When the tteokbokki are starting to cook, add the sliced fish cakes to the pan. Continue to stir-fry, ensuring the fish cakes are evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 8
Finally, add the sautéed zucchini, onion, and Korean green peppers to the pan. Gently toss everything together for another minute or so, just to combine the flavors. It’s important to keep the vegetables crisp.
Step 9
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in the sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds. This adds a wonderful aroma and richness to the dish.
Step 10
Transfer the finished Japchae to a serving plate. Garnish with the thinly sliced red chili pepper for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your delicious homemade Japchae!
