Japchae (잡채)
Korea
A classic Korean dish made with translucent starch noodles, tender beef, fresh vegetables and a flavorful sauce. It cooks quickly and results in an aromatic, slightly sweet and spicy dish, suitable as a main course or for celebrations.
Ingredients
- 200 g glass noodles
- 1 pcs carrot
- 0.5 pcs onion
- 2 pcs green onion
- 115 g beef
- 170 g button mushrooms
- 170 g spinach
- 3.5 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- as needed vegetable oil
- 1 pcs egg
- 5 cups water
Steps
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Prepare the ingredients: cut the carrot into matchsticks, thinly slice the onion, halve the green onion, slice the button mushrooms into strips, cut the beef into thin strips, wash the spinach.
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Prepare the sauce: in a bowl mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, toasted sesame seeds, salt and black pepper until the sugar fully dissolves.
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Cook the noodles: bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a pot, add the glass noodles and cook 6‑8 minutes until translucent, then drain, rinse with cold water and dry.
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Prepare the egg garnish (optional): in a skillet with a small amount of vegetable oil fry the egg white and yolk in separate thin layers, then slice.
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Stir-fry the spinach: heat 0.5 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan, quickly stir-fry the spinach, then transfer to cold water, squeeze out excess and lightly salt.
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Stir-fry the carrot, onion and green onion: heat 0.5 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan, sauté the carrot with salt for 1 minute, then add the onion and fry until translucent, finally add the green onion and quickly stir-fry.
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Stir-fry the beef and mushrooms: in the same pan heat the remaining vegetable oil, sauté the beef and button mushrooms, add 2 tbsp of the prepared sauce and cook 2‑3 minutes.
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Assemble the dish: transfer the noodles into a large bowl, add the spinach, beef with mushrooms, stir-fried vegetables and the remaining sauce, mix thoroughly, adjusting the taste with extra soy sauce or sugar if needed.
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Serve, garnishing with the sliced egg garnish (if used).
FAQ
What is Japchae and where does it come from?
Japchae (잡채) is a classic Korean dish of stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables, often with meat, known for its vibrant colors and savory-sweet flavor. It originated in Korea.
Can I make Japchae vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this Japchae recipe vegetarian by omitting the beef and adding more vegetables or a plant-based protein like tofu.
What ingredients can I substitute in Japchae?
Common substitutions include different types of mushrooms, bell peppers, or other leafy greens for spinach. Our Umami Guru AI assistant can help you find suitable replacements.
How do you pronounce 잡채 (Japchae)?
잡채 is pronounced 'Jap-chae', with the 'Jap' sounding like 'chop' without the 'o', and 'chae' like 'chai' without the 'i'.
Is Japchae featured in Hayao Miyazaki's anime?
While Japchae itself may not be explicitly featured, the comforting and visually appealing food often seen in Hayao Miyazaki's films shares the same spirit of wholesome, delicious East Asian cuisine.