Korean Noodles and Vegetables (Japchae)

Japchae is a traditional Korean dish featuring special Korean noodles and vegetables. It originated as a royal dish but is now an indispensable part of any Korean feast. The word “japchae” translates to “mixed vegetables,” which makes sense given that this recipe features an assortment of fresh vegetables cooked separately to perfect crispness.

One of the classic ingredients in japchae is dangmyeon, also known as glass noodles or starch noodles. This Korean noodle is made from sweet potato starch, making them perfect for gluten-free gatherings. You can find dangmyeon at your local Asian market or order it online.

Japchae (Korean Noodles with Stir-Fried Vegetables)

Ingredients

• 6 ounces chicken tenderloin cut in strips, or flank steak cut in thin strips

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon black pepper (divided)

• 4 tablespoons coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (plus 2 tablespoons, divided)

• 1 onion sliced thinly

• 2 carrots julienned

• 4 shiitake mushrooms cut into thin strips

• 1 small red bell pepper cut into thin strips

• 4 ounces baby spinach (115g, about 3 large handfuls)

• 3 green onions cut into 3-inch sections and thinly sliced

• 10 ounces dangmyeon sweet potato starch noodles (Korean-style glass noodle)

• 1/4 cup olive oil (approx, 1 tbsp oil in pan per veggie)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Chop the vegetables and set aside. Cook the noodles about for 7 minutes in a large pot of boiling water. Strain and cut with scissors so they’re not that long. Toss sauce in to cooked noodles: 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoon coconut aminos or gluten free soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes.

Add 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoon of sesame oil and 1 tbsp minced garlic to the mixing bowl with choice of meat(chicken or beef) and combine all the ingredients together.

Heat up a skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to hot skillet each time as you stir fry the veggies separate--one type of veggies at a time--until tender, but still a little crunchy. Transfer to a large plate, placing veggies separate from each other.

Turn up your heat to high, and add the meat of choice to the pan. Stir-fry for a couple minutes until the meat is fully cooked.

Time to Serve

Place the noodles in bowl then top with choice of sauteed veggies and choice of meat. Top with the sesame seeds. Optional add fried egg (preferably sunny side up) on top. Enjoy!