JapChae is a Korean stir fry dish made with cellophane (yam starch) noodles and vegetables. It's topped with a slightly sweet soy-sesame sauce for a perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Recipe by: Mayumi Tavalero
Cook Times
Active Prep15
Hands-On Cook15
Hands-Off Cook10
Passive0
Total Time40 minutesminutes
Recipe Serving Size10
Cooking Tools Required
Colander, Cutting board, Kitchen towels, Measuring cups and spoons, Mixing bowls, Mixing spoon, Peeler, Sharp Knives, Stock pot or >5 Qt pot, Tongs, Top Stove, Wok
Ingredients
20ouncedry yam starch noodlecooked according to package directions, then chopped in 7-8 inch lengths
10dried shiitake mushroomsoaked in hot water for 30 minutes, then thinly sliced
2bunchspinach
2carrotmedium, julienne
2yellow onionsmall, slivered
4cupcremini mushroomsliced
1bunchgreen onioncut into 1-inch lengths on the diagonal
6clovegarlicfinely chopped
2tablespoonsoy sauce
2tablespoonsesame oil
2tablespoonavocado oilplus more if necessary
For the sauce:
6tablespoonsoy sauce
8tablespoongranulated sugaror your favorite sweetener equivalent
5tablespoonsesame oil
1/2teaspoonfreshly ground black peppermore or less to taste
2tablespoontoasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Place cooked noodles in a large bowl. Toss with soy sauce and sesame oil.
After thoroughly cleaning the spinach bunch, cook in boiling water for just a minute, drain and rinse with cold water. Squeeze gently to remove excess water, then cut into 2-inch lengths. Add to the bowl of noodles.
Heat a wok or large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When hot add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to the pan. Place the carrots, onions, and sliced crimini mushroom into the pan and cook until onions are just translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the green onions, chopped garlic, and shiitake mushrooms to the pan during the last 30 seconds of cooking time, adding more oil if necessary. Stir well so all the vegetables are combined. Add to bowl with noodles. Toss to combine.
Pour sauce over chapchae, again mixing well to combine. Garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired.
Reheating Instructions
Heat in a sauté pan over medium heat or in the microwave on high power until heated through.