Japchae is one of the most popular Korean dishes both inside and outside of Korea and when you taste it you will understand why. Originally japchae was made without noodles – it was invented for the King by one of his chefs and he loved it so much that it became famous across Korea. In more recent times the noodles were added and now they are an essential element to the dish. The noodles used are sweet potato starch noodles which give japchae it’s very distinct chewy texture. The vegetables are all lightly cooked so they retain all their flavor. Source: Top 10 Korean Foods
Stir fried in sesame oil with various vegetables (typically thinly sliced carrots, onion, spinach, and mushrooms), sometimes served with beef, and flavoured with soy sauce, and sweetened with sugar. It is usually served garnished with sesame seeds and slivers of chili. It may be served either hot or cold. This dish is served at Korean parties and special occasions, with seasonal vegetables added. Japchae is most commonly served as a side dish, though it may be a main dish. It is often served on a bed of rice; together with rice it is known as japchae-bap (잡채밥), bap (밥) meaning “rice.” Source Wikipedia
The most difficult element to making Japchae is finding the Korean Style Sweet Potato Starch Noodle (Vermicelle Coreen). You most certainly will find them in your local Asian market however, finding them in the noodle isle can be a daunting task. It took me over 20 minutes to find the package, as it was nestled on the top shelf between 30 other varieties of Rice Starch noodles.
Korean Style Sweet Potato Starch Noodles, have a distinct light purple/grey color; once familiar with the color they become much easier to find, in difference to their white rice cousins. I’ve tried the recipe with rice starch noodles, and although the taste is similar, the texture of the potato starch noodle is what really makes this dish.
- 4 lean pork shoulder or rib eye cut into ¼ inch wide and 2½ inch long strips
- 1/2 bunch spinach (about 4 ounces), rinsed and trimmed
- 3-4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 4 ounces of dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles)
- 2 to 3 green onions, cut crosswise into 2-inch-long pieces
- 1 medium onion (1 cup), sliced thinly
- 4 to 5 white mushrooms, sliced thinly
- 1 medium carrot (¾ cup), cut into matchsticks or shredded
- ½ red bell pepper, cut into thin strips (optional)
- ground black pepper
- salt
- vegetable oil
- Cook the sweet potato noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water. Be sure not to overcook the noodles, or they will lose their chewy texture.
- Blanch the spinach in boiling water. Rinse immediately under cold water, squeeze the water from the leaves and form into a ball, and then cut the ball in half. Combine the spinach, half the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the sesame oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Set aside to marinate.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork or beef, the remaining garlic, 1 teaspoon of the soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil. Stir-fry until the beef is cooked, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion, mushrooms, and carrot and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the green onions and stir-fry for another minute. Remove from the heat.
- In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the noodles, beef mixture, spinach, remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and the sugar. Serve warm, sprinkled with sesame seeds.
Brussels Sprouts Kimchi served with white rice and Japchae is the perfect Korean style family meal.
- 4 cups Brussel sprouts leaves and ribs
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- About 12 cups cold water, plus more as needed
- 8 ounces’ daikon radish, peeled and cut into 2-inch matchsticks
- ¼ cup of julienned carrot
- 4 medium scallions, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces (use all parts)
- 1/3 cup Korean red pepper powder
- ¼ cup red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 1/4 cup peeled and minced fresh ginger (from about a 2-ounce piece)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic cloves (from 6 to 8 medium cloves)
- 2 teaspoons Korean salted shrimp, minced (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- Cut root end off Brussel sprouts and pluck off as many leaves as possible. Cut the center rib/leaves in half. Place leaves and rib into a large bowl with daikon radish and carrots.
- Add 1 cup cold water and ¼ cup kosher salt. Mix well with your hands to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes. Rinse the mixture under cold water and drain.
- Mix the kimchi paste into the vegetable mixture thoroughly.
- Put the kimchi into an airtight container, glass jelly jar, or plastic bag.
- Press the top of the kimchi down with your hands to protect your kimchi from being exposed to too much air.
- Kimchi can be eaten immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Just stopped by to say hello. The blog is looking great! (and so is this dish, BTW)
MATT! It’s so nice to see you! Thank you for the lovely complement. You know, you have a lot to do with my new and great looking blog! Thank you♥ The only bad part of moving over to Word Press is missing all of my followers from my BlogSpot account. I’m trying to get out there and drum up some new readers but it’s been a slow process. Now that the holidays are over I should have more time to spend on voiceBoks, pumping up search engines, creating better posts and visiting my friends sites. Thank you again for all your help with my header, you are a gem!
Finding things at the Asian market can be a challenge, can’t it? I’m always feeling like an idiot when I’m there. A couple of great recipes in this post. I particularly like the Brussels sprouts kimchi! I’m always looking for new ways to use sprouts, and never thought about making them into kimchi. Terrific idea – thanks.
Hi John, I feel like and idiot too! Standing in the isle with a dumb look of bewilderment on my face, I often notice employees turn the other way knowing full well I’m out of my element.
I know you’ll enjoy the brussels sprouts kimchi.
I’m going to really be branching out from my comfort zone trying new recipes from here lol! I’m not sure what my family will make of it, but I’m all for trying new things. I’m excited to try the noodles =)
Tis is the perfect recipe to try if you haven’t had Korean food previously! It’s a mild dish that even my picky family loves to eat! xo