Description
Japchae is a classic Korean dish featuring sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with tender beef and sautéed vegetables in a savory-sweet soy and sesame oil sauce. This colorful and flavorful dish combines the chewiness of noodles with the freshness of spinach, carrots, and onions, perfect as a main or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 lb thin-sliced beef (or substitute with chicken, tofu, or shrimp)
Noodles
- 1 lb Korean sweet potato noodles (glass noodles)
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, julienned
- 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
- ½ bunch green onions, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ lb spinach leaves
Oils & Sauces
- 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Sweetener
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Bring water to a boil in a large pot with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the sweet potato noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until soft but chewy. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet over high heat and cook the thinly sliced beef until it browns evenly. While cooking, season with half of the soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar to infuse the meat with flavor. Once cooked through, remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the julienned carrots and thinly sliced onions, sautéing until they soften but still retain a slight bite. Stir in the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Add minced garlic and chopped green onions, then cook everything together for another minute to meld the flavors.
- Add the Spinach: Incorporate the fresh spinach leaves into the vegetable mixture, stirring frequently until the spinach wilts and softens, blending well with the other vegetables.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef, sautéed vegetables, and sweet potato noodles. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure the noodles and all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful sauce and oils.
- Serve: Serve the Japchae warm, optionally garnished with extra green onions for added freshness and a pop of color. Enjoy as a main dish or a flavorful side.
Notes
- You can substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp based on dietary preferences.
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
- Be careful not to overcook the noodles; they should be soft but still chewy.
- Keeping extra green onions for garnish adds freshness and visual appeal.
- Adjust the sugar and soy sauce quantities to taste, especially if using alternatives.
