Description
Japchae is a popular Korean dish featuring stir-fried sweet potato starch noodles combined with a colorful medley of vegetables like spinach, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and bell peppers, all seasoned with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. This light yet flavorful dish is perfect as a main course or side, served warm or at room temperature, offering a delightful balance of chewy noodles, fresh vegetables, and savory-sweet seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Sauce
- 6 ounces sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Cooking Oil and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the sweet potato noodles according to the package directions, typically 6 to 7 minutes, until they become tender yet chewy. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then toss them with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and sugar until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a balanced sweet and savory sauce.
- Stir-Fry Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion, carrot matchsticks, bell pepper, and sliced shiitake mushrooms. Stir-fry these vegetables for 4 to 5 minutes or until they are tender-crisp, maintaining their vibrant colors and some crunch.
- Add Spinach and Aromatics: Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for an additional minute, just until wilted. Then stir in the minced garlic and chopped green onions, cooking for another 30 seconds to release their fragrant flavors.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet along with the soy sauce mixture and the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the noodles are well coated and the ingredients are evenly mixed and heated through.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the japchae and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Finally, sprinkle the dish with toasted sesame seeds for an added nutty flavor and crunch before serving.
Notes
- Japchae can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it versatile for various serving preferences.
- For added protein, consider stirring in thinly sliced beef, chicken, or tofu during the vegetable stir-fry step.
- You can adjust the sweetness and saltiness by tweaking the ratio of soy sauce and sugar according to your taste.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
- Do not overcook the noodles; they should remain slightly chewy for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
