Vegan Japchae
Looking for a recipe to make with the family? This recipe has a job for every member to do something. Japchae (pronounced "Chap-Chay") is a popular Korean noodle stir fry made with sweet potato glass noodles, vegetables, and often times meat. The sweet potato glass noodles are not actually made of glass, but the clear color is where it gets its name from.
Ingredients
Stir-Fry Ingredients
- 12 oz Sweet Potato Glass Noodles dry
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced into half moons
- 6 shiitake mushrooms thinly sliced into strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper thinly sliced into strips
- 1 medium carrot julienned
- 1/2 lb baby spinach roughly chopped
- 3 stalks scallions or green onion chopped
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds optional
Japchae Sauce Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp Low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse noodles under cold water. If the noodles are long, cut them into halves or thirds.
- Drizzle 2 tsp of sesame oil over the noodles and toss. Make sure to evenly coat all of the noodles. Set aside.
- Combine ingredients for Japchae sauce and mix until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- In a wok or deep skillet, add oil, garlic, and onions over high heat. Cook for 2 minutes, or until onions are translucent.
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, and cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender but still have a soft crunch.
- Add in spinach and cook until spinach welts.
- Add in the noodles and toss well. Make sure that stir-fry ingredients are distributed throughout noodles as evenly as possible.
- Stir in Japchae sauce, making sure to coat the noodles and vegetables evenly.
- Top with scallions and sesame seeds, then serve and enjoy.
Notes
Add more protein by adding beef cut into strips or tofu. Cook beef strips or tofu in a separate skillet, then stir protein in with vegetables before adding the noodles.