Japchae (Korean Noodle Stir-Fry)

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Asian

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dangmyeon (sweet potato starch noodles)*
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any mild-flavored oil), divided
  • half a medium white onion, thinly sliced
  • 6 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 handfuls fresh baby spinach
  • toppings: toasted sesame seeds, thinly-sliced green onions
  • Sauce Ingredients:
  • 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or more, to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • Steak Ingredients:
  • 1 pound sirloin or flank steak, thinly-sliced against the grain into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

Directions

  1. To Make The Noodles: Cook the sweet potato starch noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions, until they are al dente. (Be careful not to overcook, or they will become mushy in the stir-fry.) Transfer noodles to a strainer, and rinse with cold water until they are completely chilled. Strain out any extra water, then drizzle a bit of sesame oil on the noodles and toss with your fingers until they are evenly coated. This will help them not to stick together. Set aside.
  2. To Make The Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together until combined.
  3. To Prep The Steak: Toss the steak, soy sauce, and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper together in a large bowl until combined. Let marinate for 5 minutes.
  4. To Make The Stir-Fry: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large sauté pan or wok over high heat. Add the steak and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Transfer steak to a separate clean plate, and set aside.
  5. Reduce the sauté pan heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the onion, and toss to combine. Sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in the mushrooms, bell pepper, carrot and garlic cloves, and season with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Continue sautéing for 4-5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender and cooked, but are still slightly crispy.
  6. Stir in the spinach, and cook for 2-3 more minutes, using tongs to toss the veggie mixture frequently, until the spinach has wilted.
  7. Remove pan from heat. Add the cooked noodles, steak and sauce to the veggie mixture, and toss to combine. Taste, and season with extra soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and/or pepper if needed.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with lots of toasted sesame seeds and green onions.

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