Japchae Classic Korean Stir-Fried Noodles

A classic Korean dish made with chewy sweet potato glass noodles, marinated beef, colorful vegetables, and a savory-sweet sesame-soy sauce. Topped with delicate egg strips (jidan) for a beautiful, restaurant-quality finish.

Ingredients

For the Beef Marinade

• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp mirin (optional but recommended)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 10 oz boneless ribeye steak, thinly sliced

For the Noodle Sauce

• ¼ cup sesame oil
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• ½ tsp black pepper

Noodles & Vegetables

• 10 oz Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon)
• 6 oz fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp neutral oil, divided
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 6 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced (fresh or rehydrated dried)
• ½ onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Salt, to taste

Garnish

• Chopped scallions
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Marinate the Beef
   • Whisk together soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, mirin, and garlic. Add sliced beef, coat well, and set aside.
2. Make the Noodle Sauce
   • In a small bowl, combine sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, and pepper. Stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Cook the Noodles
   • Boil noodles according to package directions. Drain very well and rinse with cold water. Toss with ⅔ of the noodle sauce.
4. Prep the Spinach & Egg
   • Blanch spinach in salted boiling water for 30 seconds, then rinse under cold water. Squeeze out excess liquid.
   • In a skillet, cook eggs in a thin layer without browning. Let cool, roll, and slice into thin strips.
5. Cook Vegetables
   • In a dry pan, sauté mushrooms with a pinch of salt until just wilted. Remove.
   • In the same pan, add a little oil and cook onions, carrots, and bell pepper until softened but still crisp. Remove.
6. Cook Beef
   • In a hot pan, quickly sear marinated beef until just cooked through.
7. Assemble
   • In a large bowl, combine noodles, spinach, mushrooms, vegetables, and beef. Add remaining noodle sauce and mix gently by hand.
   • Top with egg strips, scallions, and sesame seeds.

Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.