Japchae Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry Recipe

Dive into the delicious world of Korean cuisine with this vibrant Japchae recipe! This iconic glass noodle stir fry is celebrated for its harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, combined with a delightful chewy texture. Perfect as a satisfying side dish or a light main, Japchae is a truly amazing dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 200g Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon)
• 150g beef sirloin or bulgogi cut, thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (for beef marinade)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for beef marinade)
• 1 clove garlic, minced (for beef marinade)
• 1/2 tsp sugar (for beef marinade)
• 200g fresh spinach
• 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and thinly sliced (or 100g fresh)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced (for sauce)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce)
• 2 tbsp sugar (for sauce)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil (for sauce)
• 1 tsp black pepper (for sauce)
• 3 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. **Prepare Beef & Vegetables:** If using beef, marinate it with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 tsp sugar for at least 15 minutes. Rehydrate shiitake mushrooms by soaking in warm water for 20 minutes, then squeeze dry and slice. Julienne the carrot and slice the onion and bell pepper.
2. **Blanch Spinach:** Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and blanch for 30 seconds until just wilted. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Squeeze out excess water and set aside.
3. **Cook Noodles:** In the same boiling water, cook glass noodles according to package instructions (usually 6-8 minutes) until tender but still chewy. Drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with 1 tsp sesame oil to prevent sticking.
4. **Prepare Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp black pepper.
5. **Stir-fry Ingredients Separately:** Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove and set aside. Add 1 tbsp oil, then stir-fry carrots for 2 minutes. Remove. Add 1 tbsp oil, then stir-fry onions and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender. Remove. Finally, stir-fry the sliced shiitake mushrooms for 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove.
6. **Combine & Finish:** In the large wok or skillet, combine the cooked noodles, all the stir-fried vegetables, the blanched spinach, and the cooked beef. Pour the prepared sauce over everything. Toss vigorously with tongs until all ingredients are well combined and coated with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld.
7. **Serve:** Transfer the Japchae to a serving platter. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds before serving warm or at room temperature. Enjoy this amazing Korean glass noodle stir fry!