Slice beef (sirloin or tenderloin)(250 g) into thin strips (about 5 mm). Mix in a bowl with 1 tbsp soy sauce(5 łyżka), 1 tsp sugar(2 łyżka), 1 crushed clove of garlic cloves(3 szt) and 1 tsp sesame oil(3 łyżka). Leave to marinate while you prep the vegetables.
Tip
Beef is easier to slice thin when slightly frozen — 20 minutes in the freezer helps.
Step 02 of 08
Slice the vegetables
1 szt
1 szt
1 szt
200 g
Cut onion(1 szt) into thin half-moons. carrot(1 szt) into thin matchsticks about 5 cm long. red bell pepper(1 szt) into strips. mushrooms(200 g) into slices.
Tip
Keep everything similar in thickness — japchae is eaten with chopsticks, so each piece should fit on a spoon with the noodles.
Step 03 of 08
Cook the noodles
200 g
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add glass noodles (mung bean or sweet potato)(200 g) and cook 6-7 minutes until soft but springy. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cut into 2-3 pieces with scissors.
Tip
Don't leave the noodles in hot water after cooking — they'll turn mushy and gluey. Cutting with scissors makes eating easier — the strands are very long.
Step 04 of 08
Blanch the spinach
150 g
In the same hot water (if still hot) dip fresh spinach(150 g) for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse with cold water and squeeze out the water firmly with your hands. Set aside.
Tip
Squeezing the water out of the spinach is critical — otherwise it will dilute the whole sauce and the japchae will be wet.
Step 05 of 08
Fry the vegetables separately
3 łyżka
1 szt
1 szt
1 szt
200 g
Heat a large pan on high heat. Add 1 tbsp of rapeseed or sunflower oil(3 łyżka) and fry onion(1 szt) for 2 minutes until softened. Move to a large bowl. Add more oil and fry separately: carrot(1 szt) (2 min), red bell pepper(1 szt) (2 min) and mushrooms(200 g) (3-4 min until water evaporates). Each vegetable goes into the same bowl.
Tip
In proper japchae each vegetable is fried separately so it keeps its colour and texture. More work but the difference is visible.
Step 06 of 08
Fry the beef
250 g
In the same pan, on high heat, fry the marinated beef (sirloin or tenderloin)(250 g) for 3-4 minutes until it loses its pink colour and starts to brown. Add to the bowl with vegetables.
Step 07 of 08
Combine everything with the sauce
200 g
5 łyżka
3 łyżka
2 łyżka
3 szt
Reduce heat to medium. Add glass noodles (mung bean or sweet potato)(200 g) to the pan. Add 4 tbsp soy sauce(5 łyżka), 2 tbsp sesame oil(3 łyżka), 1.5 tbsp sugar(2 łyżka) and 2 crushed cloves of garlic cloves(3 szt). Toss with tongs or spoons for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are evenly browned from the sauce.
Tip
The sauce goes on the noodles alone before the vegetables return — this way the noodles absorb the flavour and colour evenly.
Step 08 of 08
Toss and serve
150 g
1 łyżka
Return the vegetables, beef and fresh spinach(150 g) to the pan. Toss for 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and combined. Taste — adjust with more soy sauce if needed. Sprinkle with sesame seeds(1 łyżka) before serving.
Bon appétit
How did it turn out?
Enjoy — now it's a matter of patience and a good table.
