One-Pan Japchae: A Quick and Delicious Meal! – Easy Japchae Recipe

Japchae is a beloved Korean dish known for its flavorful combination of ingredients and textures. However, traditional japchae recipes can be complex, requiring multiple steps and ingredients. Today, I'll share a simplified one-pan japchae recipe that makes preparing this dish easy and convenient. This recipe saves time and effort while still delivering a tasty and nutritious meal, perfect for busy days.

 

1. Ingredients

Basic Ingredients

• 150g sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon)
• 150g beef (for bulgogi or minced)
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 4-5 shiitake mushrooms
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• A pinch of black pepper
• A sprinkle of sesame seeds

Optional Ingredients

• 1 cucumber (for garnish)
• A pinch of red pepper flakes (if you prefer spiciness)

2. Preparing the Ingredients

1. Sweet Potato Noodles: Soak the sweet potato noodles in water for about 30 minutes. Add more water if needed during soaking.
2. Beef: Slice the beef thinly. If using bulgogi beef, marinate it in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and minced garlic beforehand.
3. Vegetables: Slice the onion, carrot, and bell peppers into thin strips. Slice the shiitake mushrooms. Also, slice the cucumber for garnish.

3. Cooking the One-Pan Japchae

1. Heat Oil: Heat cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the beef and stir-fry until it’s almost cooked through.
2. Add Vegetables: Add the onion, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms to the pan with the beef. Continue stir-frying until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
3. Add Noodles: Add the soaked sweet potato noodles to the pan and mix well. Stir-fry to combine the noodles with the vegetables and beef.
4. Season: Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of sugar to the pan. Stir well to ensure the noodles absorb the seasoning. Continue to stir-fry until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
5. Finish: Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Mix everything well to incorporate the sesame oil and seeds.
6. Garnish: Transfer the japchae to a serving dish and garnish with sliced cucumber. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes for extra spice.

4. Tips and Advice

• Noodle Texture: Be cautious not to overcook the noodles. Stir-frying them too long may make them overly soft.
• Vegetable Choices: Feel free to use seasonal vegetables or other ingredients like broccoli or zucchini for variety.
• Leftovers: Leftover japchae can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated. It can also be used as a topping for rice.

 

One-pan japchae is a fantastic way to enjoy a traditional Korean dish with minimal effort and cleanup. The combination of beef and vegetables in a savory sauce makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. This recipe is perfect for busy days when you need a quick and easy meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition. Enjoy making and sharing this simple japchae recipe with your family and friends!

3 line summary for you

One-pan japchae is an easy and delicious Korean dish that simplifies traditional cooking methods. With just one pan, you can create a flavorful meal using sweet potato noodles, beef, and vegetables.

This quick recipe is perfect for busy days and delivers a satisfying and nutritious meal.