Beef Japchae
Korean sweet potato glass noodles tossed with marinated beef, vegetables, spinach, mushrooms, and a sweet-savory sesame soy sauce.
By Thiago Temple Published
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Serves
4
Level
Intermediate
Japchae balances chewy sweet potato noodles with savory beef and vegetables cooked separately so each one keeps its texture. Tossing everything together only at the end gives the noodles an even, glossy coating without overcooking the vegetables.
Ingredients
Tap to check off as you go · 24 items
Amounts as written — this recipe serves 4.
Steps
- 1
Boil the sweet potato noodles for 6 to 7 minutes, until tender but still chewy. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again.
- 2
Toss the noodles with 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Cut them into shorter lengths if desired, then transfer them to a large bowl.
- 3
Combine the beef with the soy sauce, brown sugar, grated garlic, sesame oil, and black pepper for the marinade. Let it marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
- 4
Stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper for the japchae sauce until the sugar dissolves.
- 5
Heat a little of the neutral oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Cook the sliced garlic for about 30 seconds, until fragrant, then transfer it to the bowl of noodles. Cook the onion, carrot, and red pepper separately until each is just tender, seasoning each lightly with salt and white pepper, and transfer each to the bowl.
- 6
Cook the shiitake mushrooms until softened and lightly caramelized. Season lightly with salt and white pepper, then transfer them to the bowl.
- 7
Blanch the spinach for 30 to 45 seconds, then cool it in cold water and squeeze it dry. Season with salt, white pepper, and a small drizzle of sesame oil, then add it to the bowl.
- 8
Increase the heat to high and cook the marinated beef until cooked through. Transfer it to the bowl.
- 9
Pour the japchae sauce over the noodles, beef, and vegetables. Toss until everything is evenly coated and glossy.
- 10
Finish with toasted sesame seeds and serve warm.
Two things that matter
The ingredient list is ordered as the main ingredients, beef marinade, noodle seasoning, japchae sauce, and the extra sesame oil used to season the spinach.
