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Easy Beginner Japchae Recipe 5-Step Glass Noodle Stir Fry with Vegetables

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A quick and easy Korean glass noodle stir fry with vegetables, perfect for beginners and busy weeknights. This colorful and flavorful japchae recipe uses simple ingredients and comes together in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (about 225g) Korean sweet potato starch glass noodles (dangmyeon)
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned
  • 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced (red or yellow)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
  • 4–5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced (optional)
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup cooked beef strips or tofu cubes (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional: sliced green onions or chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the glass noodles and cook for 6-7 minutes until tender but still chewy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. While noodles cook, julienne the carrot, thinly slice the bell pepper and onion, roughly chop the spinach, slice the shiitake mushrooms, and mince the garlic.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar or honey, rice vinegar, and black pepper. Adjust sweetness or saltiness to taste.
  4. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add onions and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Add bell peppers and mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes until tender-crisp. Add spinach and cook just until wilted.
  5. Add the drained noodles to the pan with vegetables. Pour the sauce over and toss gently using tongs or chopsticks to coat evenly. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and allow noodles to soak up the sauce. Avoid stirring too aggressively to prevent breaking noodles.
  6. If using cooked beef strips or tofu, add now and mix gently to warm through.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the glass noodles to avoid mushiness; rinse with cold water immediately after draining. Prep all vegetables and sauce before stir-frying to ensure smooth cooking. Use high heat for stir-frying to keep vegetables crisp-tender. Toss noodles gently to prevent breaking. Adjust sauce sweetness or acidity to taste. For gluten-free, use tamari soy sauce. For vegan, omit beef and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: japchae, glass noodles, Korean recipe, stir fry, easy dinner, beginner recipe, gluten-free, vegetarian option

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/easy-beginner-japchae-recipe-5-step-glass-noodle-stir-fry-with-vegetables/