Japchae: Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry with Beef and Vegetables Recipe

Introduction

Japchae is a classic Korean dish featuring stir-fried glass noodles with savory beef and a colorful mix of vegetables. It’s lightly sweetened and flavored with sesame oil and soy sauce, making it a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 lb thin-sliced beef (or substitute with chicken, tofu, or shrimp)
• 1 lb Korean sweet potato noodles (glass noodles)
• 3 medium carrots, julienned
• 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 lb spinach leaves
• 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the sweet potato noodles for 5-6 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a skillet over high heat, cook the beef until browned. While cooking, season with half of the soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Once cooked, set the beef aside.
3. Step 3: In another skillet, heat olive oil and add the julienned carrots and sliced onion. Cook until softened, then add the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped green onions and cook for another minute.
4. Step 4: Add the spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted.
5. Step 5: Combine the cooked noodles, vegetables, and beef in a large bowl. Toss well to mix all ingredients evenly.
6. Step 6: Serve warm and garnish with extra green onions if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute beef with tofu and use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free options.
• Adding mushrooms or bell peppers can bring extra texture and color to the dish.
• To deepen flavor, let the japchae sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the noodles to absorb the sauce.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if noodles seem dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare japchae noodles in advance?

Yes, you can cook the noodles ahead of time and store them separately. When ready to serve, combine with stir-fried vegetables and protein, then toss everything together.

What is the best way to prevent noodles from sticking?

Toss the cooked noodles with a small amount of oil after draining to keep them from sticking together before mixing with other ingredients.

Japchae: Korean Glass Noodle Stir-Fry with Beef and Vegetables Recipe

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5 from 145 reviews

Japchae is a classic Korean dish featuring sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with tender beef and a colorful array of vegetables. This savory and slightly sweet noodle stir-fry is flavored with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and brown sugar for a perfect balance of taste and texture. It’s a flavorful and nutritious meal that can easily be adapted to include chicken, tofu, or shrimp for different protein options.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Korean
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 and Sauces

• 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of water to a boil with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Add the sweet potato noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender but still chewy. Drain well and set aside.
2. Prepare the beef: Heat a skillet over high heat and cook the thinly sliced beef until browned. While cooking, season with half of the soy sauce, half of the sesame oil, and half of the brown sugar to infuse flavor. Once cooked through, set the beef aside.
3. Sauté the vegetables: In another skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the julienned carrots and sliced white onion, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar, stirring to coat the vegetables evenly. Add minced garlic and chopped green onions, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
4. Wilt the spinach: Add the spinach leaves to the vegetables and stir until wilted, which should take about 1-2 minutes.
5. Combine all ingredients: Transfer the cooked noodles, beef, and sautéed vegetables into a large mixing bowl. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine all flavors and distribute the ingredients evenly.
6. Serve: Serve the japchae warm, garnished with additional chopped green onions if desired for extra freshness and presentation.

Notes

• For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
• Feel free to swap beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp as preferred.
• Adjust brown sugar amount to taste for sweetness variation.
• To enhance flavor, you can garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
• Make sure not to overcook the noodles; they should remain chewy.

Keywords: Japchae, Korean noodles, sweet potato noodles, beef stir-fry, Korean recipe, glass noodles, vegetable stir-fry, sesame oil noodles