Japchae

(Jap Jae, jop jae, jap chae, jap jae bap, chop che bop, chopche, chapche, etc)
잡채
Japjae is easily one of the most well known Korean stir fry dishes. The combination of sweet potato starch noodles, mushrooms, meat, and vegetables is great as a main dish, side dish, or stand alone meal.

Servings: 5

Ingredients

1 12

ounce

package Korean Starch Noodle (Korean vermicelli, sweet potato starch)

4

ounces

of Beef, thinly sliced (lean)

2

medium white mushrooms, sliced

1

bunch

fresh Spinach (approximately 3 ounces)

2

Green or Spring onion, cut into 1 inch sections

1/2

medium white or yellow onion, sliced

1

small Carrot, grated

1

teaspoon

roasted Sesame seed

1/4

cup

water

2

tablespoons

blended sesame oil

1

teaspoon

Soy sauce

1

tablespoon

Sugar

Pepper

Salt

Substitute:

1

medium bell pepper for Spinach

Marinade:

1

tablespoon

soy sauce

1

tablespoon

pure sesame oil

1

tablespoon

sugar

1

teaspoon

crushed garlic

pepper

salt

Procedure

Directions:

Preparation

Prepare the starch noodle:

Soak in cool water for about one hour. Pour off excess water then rinse in cold water. Drain thoroughly. Cut noodle into 3 inch lengths.

Alternate Method:

In a soup pot, bring 1 quart of water to a full boil. Add noodles and boil until soft. Remove from heat and rinse in cold water. Drain thoroughly. Cut noodle into 3 inch lengths.

Make the Marinade:

In a medium mixing bowl add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon sugar, crushed garlic, and a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. Mix well.

Prepare the beef:

Cut the beef into approximately 1/2 inch by 2 inch strips. Place beef in marinade and roll or mix until beef is completely covered. Let stand at least 15 minutes.

Prepare spinach:

In a soup pot, bring 3 cups of water to full boil. Wash spinach in cold water, then completely immerse it in the boiling water. Remove from heat after 30 seconds and rinse immediately in cold water. Squeeze excess water from spinach.

Cooking:

Spread 2 tablespoon sesame oil in a stir fry pan and place over medium heat.

Add beef mixture to hot pan and brown.

Quickly add mushrooms, onion, green onion, and carrot. Stir fry approximately 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Add water, noodles, spinach, sesame seed, sugar, and soy sauce.

Stir constantly until liquid is gone.

Remove from heat and serve.