Japchae - Korean Sweet Stir Fried Noodle with Vegetables and Beef

Japchae is one of korean favorite traditional dishes, it's a sweet stir fry noodle with vegetables and beef. Japchae often serve as side dish on korean house, if japchae serve only with rice in a bowl then call japchae-bap.

Japchae first time serve at 17century when prince Gwanghae, the king of Joseon Dynasty held a big party at his palace. Because the king so pleased with the dish then he awarded his lieges (same as Lord), Yi Chung, by promoting him to the position of hojo panseo (same as secretary of treasury). 

At that time japchae only made by vegetable and mushrooms, the kind of vegetables is depend on the seasonal vegetables at that time. 

At early 20century japchae serve with dangmyeon, korean noodle which made by sweet potato.  

Making japchae is quite easy but need special attention, vegetables, mushrooms and beef cooked separately to keep the flavor of each ingredients. Soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar give a savory and sweet flavor to the dish.  The authentic flavor of japchae is sweet stir fried noodle, but you can always adjust the taste with your preference ;) 

As always, I got the recipe from Maangchi , please visit her page  to find out more about korean food recipe, and video :)

Ingredients :

• 300 gram Beef, thinly sliced
• 300 gram dangmyeon, korean sweet potato noodle
• 200 gram Shitake mushroom, sliced
• 200 gram Button Mushroom, sliced
• 2 medium Carrot, julianne
• 500 gram Horenso (japanese spinach), cut 3 cm long
• 5 stack Green onion, slice 2cm long
• 1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
• Light Soy Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Sugar
• Canola oil
• Toasted sesame seed, for garnish.

Directions :

• Boiled water in a nonstick-pan, add noodle, cooked about 5-7 minutes, (cooked noodles same as if you cook a spaghetti - not too soft). 
• Drain the noodles, transfer into a large bowl : cut a few times with a kitchen knife, add 2 tbsp of light soy sauce and 1 tbsp of sesame oil, mix well. Set a side.

• Boiled horenso just a minute (do not over cooked). 
• Drain, rinse with cold water 2 times, squeeze gently until all the water is out, add 1 tbsp of light soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil, mix well, transfer into the large bowl together with the noodle.

• In a pan, add 1 tsp canola oil, stir in green onion, saute a few second, transfer into a bowl.
• add 1 tbsp canola oil, stir in beef, saute until beef changed color and all the water is run out.
• Stir in garlic and shitake mushrooms, add 2 tbsp of light soy sauce and 2 tbsp of sugar (amount of sugar and soy sauce adjust to preference).
• Saute until the beef and mushrooms are tender, transfer into the bowl. 

• In a pan, add 1 tbsp canola oil, stir in the onion, saute until the onion translucent, add the button mushrooms, saute until the mushrooms is tender.
• Remove from heat and transfer into the bowl.

• In a pan, add 1 tbsp canola oil, stir in carrot, saute until carrot is tender.
• Remove from heat, transfer into the bowl.

• In the bowl, add 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tbsp of sesame oil and 2 tbsp of sugar, mix with the noodle, beef, mushrooms and vegetables.
• Taste and add more soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar if needed.
• Serve with toasted sesame seed on top.
• Enjoy! ;) 

At the korean drama that I often watch, japchae often serve when a member of the family having a birthday, or when guests come to the house.

This traditional dish is a comfort food for all korean house since often served at a memorable event.

And from the first time I serve this dish at our dining table, since then... this dish become one our comfort food too... 

When all family member enjoy it with smile and waiting for the dish being served again .... isn't that a description of comfort food? :)

Stay healthy & Loves Your Kitchen More! ;) 

Difficulty : Moderate (need more attention)

Cooking Time : 45 minutes

Served : 8-10 serving

Adapted from : Maangchi.com