Description
Japchae is a savory and sweet Korean noodle dish made with glass noodles, thinly sliced beef, and a variety of sautéed vegetables. This colorful and flavorful stir-fried dish combines tender beef and perfectly cooked sweet potato noodles tossed with sautéed carrots, onions, spinach, and green onions, all seasoned with soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil for a deliciously balanced meal.
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
- 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
- 1/2 lb spinach leaves
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
Oils & Sauces
- 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Sweeteners
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the Korean sweet potato noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until they become soft but chewy. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set aside.
- Prepare the Beef: Heat a skillet over high heat and cook the thinly sliced beef until it is browned. While cooking, season the beef with half of the soy sauce, half of the sesame oil, and half of the brown sugar to infuse rich flavor. Once cooked through, set the beef aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In another skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add the julienned carrots and thinly sliced onions, cooking them until they are softened but still slightly crisp. Mix in the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar to coat the vegetables. Then add the minced garlic and chopped green onions and cook for an additional minute to release their aroma.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the spinach leaves to the skillet with the vegetables, stirring gently until the spinach is wilted and tender.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables including spinach, and the cooked beef. Toss all ingredients well so the flavors meld together evenly.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the japchae warm, garnished with extra chopped green onions if desired for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- You can substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp depending on dietary preferences.
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar to taste.
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles to maintain their chewy texture.
- Japchae is best served warm but can be enjoyed at room temperature as well.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat quickly on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Keywords: Japchae, Korean stir-fried noodles, glass noodles, sweet potato noodles, beef japchae, Korean vegetable noodles, sesame oil noodles
