Perfect for making small serving japchae. This recipe is all about simplicity and flavor, cooked up in less than 30 minutes. Skip the hassle of cooking each veggie on its own this time – we're tossing everything into one pan. Soft, springy, noodles, tender-crisp vegetables slathered with sweet-savory, sesame-infused sauce.
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Marinate the beef
Place beef in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of the prepared sauce and mirin. Stir to combine. Set aside.
Soak the noodles (note 4)
Soak noodles in freshly boiled water for 10 minutes. If using warm water, soak for up to 15 minutes until it's pliable without being completely cooked. Once done, drain and discard the water. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the ingredients.
Stir-fry
Stir-fry the beef - Add 1 tbsp oil in a skillet heat over high heat. Once it gets nice and hot, add the marinated beef. Stir-fry until no longer pink, around 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a plate and set aside to prevent overcooking. Remove and discard any excess liquid.
Vegetables - Pour the remaining vegetable oil and set the heat to medium. Add carrots and mushrooms, stir-fry for 1 minute. Add bell peppers and onion. Continue cooking for another minute or until the veggies are halfway cooked.
Add noodles, sauce, and water. Season with black pepper. Toss everything together until the noodles are cooked and glossy. Do not overcook.
Immediately remove from heat. Add back the beef, and green onions and drizzle sesame oil. Give it a final toss to bring it all together.
Serve and enjoy! Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if preferred.
Notes
Soy sauce - Use regular all-purpose soy sauce e.g. Kikkoman. Light, dark, and low-sodium soy sauce are not recommended.
Beef - Recommended cuts are thinly sliced sirloin steak, ribeye, tenderloin, and top sirloin are popular choices. If you're looking for budget-friendly choices, skirt steaks, flank steaks, and flat iron steaks also work great.
Glass Noodles - Sometimes labeled as "sweet potato noodles" or "dangmyeon" in Korean. Available online and in most Asian grocery stores.
Soaking the Noodles - The noodles will quickly soften using freshly boiled water. If you need more time to prepare and slice the rest of the ingredients, use hot to warm water instead.
Course :Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine :Korean
Keyword :beef japchae, Korean Japchae recipe, korean noodles