Korean Japchae

[jannababe]

Japchae is a classic Korean dish I recently tried, and it’s just bursting with flavor! Made with chewy glass noodles, veggies, and a savory-sweet sauce, it's one of those dishes that feels indulgent but is actually packed with wholesome ingredients. Japchae is light yet super satisfying, and it’s so fun to make with its mix of vibrant colors and textures.

Ingredients​

• 200g sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
• 200g beef (sirloin or ribeye), thinly sliced
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3–4 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch spinach, blanched
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for stir-frying

Sauce​

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions​

1. Cook the Noodles
   Cook the sweet potato noodles according to the package instructions (usually 5–7 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, then toss with a bit of sesame oil to keep them from sticking.
2. Prepare the Sauce
   In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Set aside.
3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables
   Heat a bit of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Stir-fry each vegetable separately: start with the carrots, then add onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Cook each until slightly tender but still vibrant in color. Set aside each batch of vegetables.
4. Cook the Beef
   In the same pan, add a bit more oil and cook the beef slices until browned. Pour a spoonful of the sauce over the beef as it cooks for added flavor. Set aside.
5. Combine Everything
   In a large mixing bowl, add the noodles, cooked beef, all the vegetables, and the blanched spinach. Pour the remaining sauce over everything and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
6. Garnish and Serve
   Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, and enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion​

Japchae is wonderfully versatile—you can make it vegetarian or add any protein you like. The sweet potato noodles have this unique chewiness that makes every bite satisfying, and the flavors blend so well! It’s a perfect make-ahead dish, and the leftovers are just as good the next day. Highly recommend this if you’re looking for a flavorful, colorful meal to share!