I like spicy so I really enjoy Korean food. However, when we go to a Korean restaurant, we always have to order Japchae noodles because someone in the family cannot eat spicy! Korean Japchae noodles is very easy to make. The noodles are made from sweet potato starch instead of wheat. They tend to be firmer than noodles made from wheat and have more of an al-dente texture to them. They are also a little more forgiving than wheat noodles during cooking so are a easier to work with.
Tips.
Noodles.
There are some Japchae noodles that are very long and some that are cut. I find that it is sometimes difficult to swallow the long noodles, but maybe it's because I swallow it too quickly! Certain brands have it cut so they look more like spaghetti. These cut noodles are not only easier to manage as an eater, but it disperses better when trying to mix in the other ingredients. They have less of a tendency to stick together.
Sauce.
The sauce is essential to the final taste of the Japchae. The Korean flavor is sweeter and the sesame oil flavor is stronger. I think the key to a good japchae is the flavor of the noodles. I used to add the sauce at the end, but if you add half of the sauce after the noodles have cooked so that the noodles have time to soak up the flavor, that's a game changer!
Japchae noodles marinating in sauce after cooking, before being mixed into the vegetables
Fixins.
Traditional japchae comes with seasoned beef, but you can make it with any type of protein and vegetables or just make it vegetarian. Cut the vegetables into uniform julienne strips. Traditional japchae ingredients include onion, mushrooms and spinach.
Uniform julienned vegetables for japchae
Stir fry vegetables before adding cooked japchae noodles
Korean japchae noodles
KOREAN JAPCHAE NOODLES
Ingredients
- 250 grams dried japchae noodles
- 250 grams marinated meat, thinly sliced
- 500 grams Assorted vegetables, julienned
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil.
- 2 tsp fresh minced garlic
Sauce
- 4 Tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- ¼-½ tsp white pepper according to your taste
- 1 Tbsp mirin
- 1 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds
Garnish
- 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Make noodles
- Mix all the ingredients for the sauce
- Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the pack, usually 6-7 minutes
- Drain noodles in a colander and run cold water onto noodles. Make sure all the noodles are well separated and well drained.
- Place drained noodles into a bowl.
- Add half of the sauce into the noodles and mix completely.
Stir fry fixins
- Add 1 Tbsp oil and 1 tsp minced garlic. Stir fry marinated meat and remove so not to overcook.
- Add 2 Tbsp oil and 1 tsp minced garlic. Stir fry vegetables until 90% cooked.
- Add noodles to the vegetables and stir.
- Add meat and sauce.
- Mix Japchae until everything is well coated with sauce and plate.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds as garnish. Serve!