Spicy & Sweet Japchae
How to Make Deliciously Spicy and Sweet Japchae
This is a special Japchae recipe enhanced with a gochujang (Korean chili paste) base for a delightful spicy and savory flavor. The chewy glass noodles and colorful vegetables come together to create a visually appealing and delicious dish, perfect for special occasions or any day you want a little extra flair. Enjoy this beloved Korean classic with a unique twist!
Main Ingredients
- Glass noodles (Dangmyeon) 1 handful (approx. 100g)
- 1/4 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 Carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 Stick of imitation crab meat, shredded or sliced
- 1/4 Yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 Red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp Oyster sauce (for extra umami!)
- 2 Tbsp Cheongju (Korean rice wine, for removing gamey odors)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (sweet cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, for a subtle sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
Finishing Seasoning
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for extra spiciness)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds (for nutty flavor and garnish)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp Oyster sauce (for extra umami!)
- 2 Tbsp Cheongju (Korean rice wine, for removing gamey odors)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (sweet cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, for a subtle sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil (for nutty aroma)
Finishing Seasoning
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for extra spiciness)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds (for nutty flavor and garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soak the glass noodles in lukewarm water for about 1 hour before cooking until they are fully softened. This step ensures the noodles will be chewy and absorb the sauce beautifully.
Step 2
Thinly slice the vegetables (onion, carrot, bell peppers) and shred or slice the imitation crab meat. Cutting the vegetables thinly is key for even cooking and presentation. Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, such as mushrooms or spinach, for variety!
Step 3
Prepare the spicy and sweet sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a bowl: 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp gochujang, 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp cheongju, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp oligodang, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed for your perfect flavor balance.
Step 4
Now, let’s make chili oil. Gently heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over low heat. Add 0.5 Tbsp of gochugaru and stir constantly to prevent burning. Cook just until fragrant and the oil turns a vibrant red. This infusion will add a wonderful spicy aroma to your Japchae.
Step 5
Add the sliced vegetables (onion, carrot, bell peppers) and imitation crab meat to the pan with the chili oil. Stir-fry over low to medium-low heat until the vegetables are slightly softened but still retain a pleasant crunch. Avoid high heat, which can make the vegetables mushy or burn the chili oil.
Step 6
Add the pre-soaked glass noodles to the pan with the vegetables and stir-fry together. Mix gently to combine the noodles with the other ingredients.
Step 7
Pour all the prepared spicy and sweet sauce over the ingredients in the pan. Stir-fry well to ensure the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce. Keep stirring to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Step 8
Once the sauce has been absorbed and everything is well combined, stir in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and 0.5 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a final touch of aroma and flavor. For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of black pepper.
Step 9
Your delicious Spicy & Sweet Japchae is ready! Enjoy its mouthwatering appearance and irresistible taste. It makes a fantastic side dish or an impressive main course for guests.
