Recipes

Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Glass Noodles)

A classic Korean dish featuring chewy sweet potato noodles, tender beef, and colorful vegetables, all tossed in a savory-sweet sesame sauce

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • Noodles & Seasoning:
    • 4 oz (115g) dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles)
    • 2 tsp + 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, divided
    • 1 tsp + 1 tbsp soy sauce, divided
    • 1 tsp + 1 tbsp sugar, divided
  • Meat & Mushroom Marinade:
    • 4 oz (115g) filet mignon or pork shoulder, cut into thin strips
    • 2 large dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 2 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
    • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • Vegetables:
    • 4 oz (115g) spinach
    • 1 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
    • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
    • 2-3 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
    • 4-5 white mushrooms, sliced
    • 1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks
    • ½ red bell pepper, cut into strips (optional)
  • Egg Garnish (Jidan):
    • 1 large egg, yolk and white separated
    • Pinch of salt
    • Vegetable oil, for cooking
  • Final Seasoning:
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tbsp soy sauce
    • 1 tbsp sugar
    • ½ tsp ground black pepper
    • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
    • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Notes

  • You can substitute ribeye or sirloin for the filet mignon
  • Fresh shiitake mushrooms can be used instead of dried

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Beef & Mushrooms: In a bowl, combine the beef strips, shiitake mushrooms, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate.

  2. Make the Egg Garnish: Beat the egg yolk with a pinch of salt. Heat a non-stick pan over medium with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Wipe the pan to leave a thin, even layer. Turn off the heat. Pour the yolk into the pan, tilting to form a thin sheet. Cook for 1 minute using residual heat. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Remove, let cool, and slice into thin strips.

  3. Prepare Spinach & Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Blanch the spinach for 30-60 seconds, then rinse in cold water. Squeeze out excess water, cut it, and place in a bowl. Mix with 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. In the same boiling water, cook the noodles for about 8 minutes until tender. Drain and cut with scissors. Add to the large bowl with the spinach. Mix in 2 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Set aside.

  4. Stir-Fry Vegetables & Meat: Stir-fry each ingredient separately in a skillet with a little vegetable oil and a pinch of salt, transferring each to the large noodle bowl after cooking.
    • Onions & Green Onions: Stir-fry for 2 minutes until translucent
    • White Mushrooms: Stir-fry for 2 minutes until softened
    • Carrot & Bell Pepper: Stir-fry for 20-30 seconds until slightly softened
    • Marinated Beef & Mushrooms: Stir-fry for a few minutes until beef is cooked through
  5. Combine and Serve: To the large mixing bowl with all the ingredients, add the final seasonings: 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp sesame oil. Mix thoroughly by hand. Gently toss in the egg garnish strips and sesame seeds. Transfer to a plate and serve.