Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles with Beef and Spinach)

Steps

1. Step 1

   In a bowl, stir the beef together with the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and black pepper. Set aside to marinate while you prep everything else.

   15 min

   • 8 oz beef sirloin or ribeye
   • 1 tbsp soy sauce
   • 1 tsp sugar
   • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
   • 1 clove garlic
   • 1 pinch black pepper
2. Step 2

   In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients together: soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and garlic. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

   2 min

   • the rest of the soy sauce
   • the rest of the sugar
   • the rest of the toasted sesame oil
   • the rest of the garlic
3. Step 3

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 30 seconds. Scoop it out with tongs into a colander, rinse under cold water, then squeeze out as much water as you can. Chop roughly, put it in a very large mixing bowl, and toss with a pinch of salt.

   5 min

   • 8 oz spinach
   • salt
4. Step 4

   Return the water to a boil and cook the sweet potato noodles until bouncy and tender, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain, rinse briefly under cool water, then snip through them a few times with scissors so they're easier to eat. Add to the bowl with the spinach along with half the sauce and toss.

   8 min

   • 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
   • 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
   • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
   • 1 clove garlic
   • 8 oz dangmyeon (Korean sweet potato starch noodles)
5. Step 5

   Heat 1 tbsp of the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion with a pinch of salt until soft and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add to the bowl. Add another 1/2 tbsp oil and cook the carrot with a pinch of salt until just tender, about 2 minutes; add to the bowl.

   6 min

   • 1 medium carrot
   • 1 medium yellow onion
   • 1 1/2 tbsp neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola
6. Step 6

   Add 1/2 tbsp more oil and cook the shiitake until browned and tender, about 3 minutes. Add to the bowl.

   3 min

   • 5 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms
   • 1/2 tbsp neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola
7. Step 7

   Add the last 1 tbsp oil and cook the marinated beef over medium-high heat, spreading it in a single layer, until browned and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape the beef and any pan juices into the bowl.

   4 min

   • 1 tbsp neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola
8. Step 8

   Pour the remaining sauce over everything and toss well with tongs or clean hands until the noodles are evenly coated and glossy. Taste and add salt or a splash more soy sauce if it needs it. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions and serve warm or at room temperature.

   3 min

   • 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
   • 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
   • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
   • 1 clove garlic
   • salt
   • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
   • 2 scallions

Where it’s from

Written by AI from an idea

Version 1, saved Oct 5, 2026