Japchae Recipe

 Japchae is a delicious and popular Korean dish made with stir-fried glass noodles and an array of colorful vegetables.

**Ingredients:**

For the Noodles:

- 6 oz (170g) sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

For the Vegetables:

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 small onion, thinly sliced

- 1 medium carrot, julienned

- 1 red bell pepper, julienned

- 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned

- 4-5 fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced (or use dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced)

- 4-5 fresh spinach leaves

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for stir-frying

For the Beef (optional):

- 4 oz (113g) beef ribeye or sirloin, thinly sliced

- 1 tablespoon soy sauce

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

- A pinch of black pepper

For the Sauce:

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 1 tablespoon sugar

- 1 tablespoon sesame oil

- 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)

- 1/2 tablespoon honey (optional)

- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

**Garnish:**

- Toasted sesame seeds

- Thinly sliced green onions

**Instructions:**

1. Cook the sweet potato glass noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse with cold water and drain. Cut the noodles into shorter lengths using kitchen scissors for easier handling.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, oyster sauce, honey (if using), and black pepper. Set aside.

3. If you're using beef, in a separate bowl, marinate the beef slices with soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Set aside.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the marinated beef slices (if using) and stir-fry until cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

5. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add minced garlic and sliced onions. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent.

6. Add carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and bell peppers. Continue to stir-fry for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

7. Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over the noodles. Stir-fry the noodles and vegetables together until well combined.

8. Add the cooked beef (if using) and spinach leaves. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and everything is well mixed.

9. Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.

10. Serve hot or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious homemade Japchae!

Japchae is a versatile dish, and you can customize the vegetables and protein to your preference. It's a wonderful combination of flavors and textures, making it a favorite Korean dish for many.