Sweet and Savory Japchae with Colorful Veggies
Experience a delightful twist on the classic Korean dish, Japchae, featuring a medley of vibrant vegetables and glass noodles stir-fried to perfection. This dish is slightly sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser whether served as a main course alongside rice and kimchi or as a delicious banchan that complements any Korean meal. Adapted from a traditional recipe to enhance flavor and presentation, it's a versatile dish that can also cater to meat lovers for an extra layer of richness. Enjoy the balance of textures and flavors in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
bean thread vermicelli (Dangmyun)
2 bundles (Dried)
carrot
1 medium (Julienned)
onion
1 1/2 large (Thinly sliced)
green onions
10 stalks (Cut into 2-inch strips)
mushrooms
2 cups (Sliced)
spinach
9 ounces (Washed)
granulated sugar
4 tablespoons
corn syrup
1 tablespoon (Substitute with an extra tablespoon of sugar in a pinch)
black pepper
2 teaspoons
minced garlic
1 tablespoon
soy sauce
5 tablespoons
sesame oil
5 tablespoons
olive oil
5 tablespoons (For stir-frying)
sesame seeds
to garnish
Instructions
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1. Start by preparing the special noodles used in this dish. In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil and add the two bundles of Dangmyun (Korean potato starch noodles). Boil for 3-4 minutes, checking for desired texture; they should be soft yet chewy.
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2. Once cooked, strain the noodles and reserve some of the hot water. Rinse the noodles under cold water and place them into a large mixing bowl. To make the noodles more manageable, cut them with scissors. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup to the noodles and mix well, using your hands for even coating.
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3. Reboil the reserved water and add the spinach. Boil for just one minute, then strain and squeeze out excess water. Place the spinach into a separate mixing bowl and combine it with 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil and 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce, mixing well.
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4. Heat 5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Stir-fry the vegetables, one type at a time, in the following order: carrots, onions, mushrooms, and green onions. Cook each vegetable until they are crisp-tender, ensuring they don’t burn. As each vegetable is cooked, add it to the bowl with the spinach and stir to combine.
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5. Optional: For those adding meat, thinly slice beef and stir-fry it in the same pan with a dash of soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic to taste. Once cooked, mix the meat into the bowl with the spinach and vegetables.
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6. Combine the cooked noodles with the vegetable mixture in bowl #2, tossing gently to combine.
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7. For the sauce, mix together 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons of black pepper in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the noodle-vegetable blend and mix thoroughly with your hands or tongs until the noodles are evenly coated with seasoning.
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8. Adjust seasoning as needed by tasting during the mixing process. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy your homemade Japchae!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sweet and Savory Japchae?
Japchae is a classic Korean stir-fry dish featuring chewy glass noodles mixed with a variety of colorful vegetables and a balanced sauce.
What kind of noodles are used in Japchae?
This recipe uses Dangmyun, which are Korean potato starch noodles, often referred to as glass noodles.
How long should I boil the Dangmyun noodles?
The noodles should be boiled for 3 to 4 minutes until they reach a soft yet chewy texture.
What should I do after boiling the noodles?
Strain the noodles, rinse them under cold water, and place them in a mixing bowl to be seasoned.
How do I make the noodles easier to eat?
It is recommended to cut the noodles with scissors after rinsing to make them more manageable for serving.
What initial seasonings are added to the noodles?
Mix the noodles with one tablespoon each of sesame oil, soy sauce, and corn syrup.
How is the spinach prepared for this recipe?
Blanch the spinach in boiling water for one minute, strain, squeeze out excess water, and season with sesame oil and soy sauce.
Why should vegetables be stir-fried separately?
Stir-frying each vegetable individually ensures they are cooked to a perfect crisp-tender texture without overcooking or burning.
In what order should the vegetables be stir-fried?
The recommended order is carrots, then onions, then mushrooms, and finally green onions.
Can I add meat to this Japchae recipe?
Yes, you can add thinly sliced beef stir-fried with soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic for a richer flavor.
What ingredients are in the final seasoning sauce?
The sauce consists of 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons of black pepper.
What can I use as a substitute for corn syrup?
If you do not have corn syrup, you can substitute it with an extra tablespoon of granulated sugar.
How should the final dish be mixed?
Combine the noodles and vegetables in a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands or tongs until evenly coated.
Is Japchae served hot or cold?
Japchae can be served warm or at room temperature, making it a versatile dish for any meal.
What is a good garnish for Japchae?
Sesame seeds are the traditional garnish used to add a bit of texture and nutty flavor to the dish.
Is this Japchae recipe vegetarian?
The base recipe is vegetarian as it focuses on noodles and vegetables, though meat can be added if desired.
What vegetables are julienned in this recipe?
The medium-sized carrot should be julienned into thin strips.
How are the green onions prepared?
The 10 stalks of green onions should be cut into 2-inch strips.
What type of mushrooms work best for Japchae?
The recipe calls for two cups of sliced mushrooms, and while varieties aren't specified, shiitake or wood ear are traditional choices.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It is a sweet and savory dish characterized by the richness of sesame oil and the saltiness of soy sauce.
How much minced garlic is needed?
One tablespoon of minced garlic is used, typically added when preparing the optional meat component.
What oil is recommended for stir-frying?
Five tablespoons of olive oil are suggested for stir-frying the vegetables.
Can I serve Japchae as a main course?
Yes, it is often served as a main dish, particularly when accompanied by rice and kimchi.
What is banchan?
Banchan refers to small Korean side dishes served with cooked rice; Japchae is a very popular example.
How many bundles of noodles are required?
The recipe requires two bundles of dried bean thread vermicelli (Dangmyun).
What should I do if the seasoning isn't right?
The recipe advises tasting the dish during the final mixing process and adjusting the seasonings to your preference.
How much sugar is in the final sauce?
The final sauce mixture uses 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
What is the role of sesame oil in this recipe?
Sesame oil is used multiple times: to season the noodles, season the spinach, and as a key component of the final sauce.
How much black pepper is used?
Two teaspoons of black pepper are included in the final seasoning sauce.
Can I use different vegetables than the ones listed?
Japchae is very versatile; while this recipe uses carrots, onions, mushrooms, and spinach, you can adapt it to use other vibrant vegetables.