WHIP THIS UP AT YOUR STUDIO!

Japchae, a Korean noodle dish, is a staple in Korean restaurants due to its distinctive blend of textures and flavors. The noodles are made from sweet potato, providing a unique texture that pairs well with crunchy vegetables. Although meat is usually a source of protein, we make this recipe vegetarian - vegan by replacing meat with smoked tofu. Glass noodles, the key ingredient, can be easily sourced from Asian markets or any store selling Asian noodles. They are also quite affordable, making this dish cost-effective. The noodles' springy texture, combined with the other ingredients and sauce, creates a delightful eating experience.

SERVING: 10 PEOPLE  I  PREP. TIME: 30 MIN.  I  TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 package sweet potato noodles (1000 g)
• 3 package smoked firm tofu (900 g)
• 4 medium carrot (450 g)
• 3 red bell pepper
• 3 yellow bell pepper
• 4 medium onion (450 g)
• 3 green onions (bunch)
• 8 garlic cloves
• 450 g shiitake mushrooms
• 900 gr spinach
• sesame seeds
• 3 tsp. sesame oil

FORTHE SAUCE

• 20 tbsp. soy sauce
• 8 tbsp. brown sugar or maple syrup
• 5 tbsp. sesame oil
  

INSTRUCTIONS

• Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and cooking the sweet potato noodles as per the instructions on the package.
  
• After they're cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to halt the cooking process. Coating the noodles with 2 tsp of sesame oil will prevent them from sticking. Use scissors to cut the noodles a few times (around 3-4 times).
  
• Using the same pot, blanch the spinach for 30 seconds. Rinse it with cold water to cool it down and then squeeze out the excess liquid using a towel. Cut the bundled spinach in half and mix in 1.5 cloves of finely minced garlic.
  
• Slice all the vegetables into match stick sized pieces. They should all be relatively the same size. Cut the tofu into medium cubes.
• Traditional method: Fry each vegetable separately for about 4 minutes on medium-high heat. Once done, set them aside in a baking dish. For a quicker option, sauté all the ingredients together in a frying pan with a bit of olive oil.
  
• In a large wok, fry the smoked tofu with a small amount of sesame oil over medium-high heat until it's lightly browned on each side, add some sesame seeds. Then, transfer it to another bowl and set it aside.
  
• Put all the sauce ingredients into a small bowl and stir.
• In a large pot, melt the butter or heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
  

TIME TO MIX THE INGREDIENTS!

Add half of the shiitake, carrots, onions, peppers and tofu sautéed with half of the noodles and spinach, proceed to mix with half of the sauce, then repeat this same step with the rest of the ingredients and sauce.
Follow this procedure for well-integrated outcomes. Adjust the flavor by adding a few drops of soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

TIPS!

Stir everything slowly and with your hands, this will give a more authentic touch to your recipe. 🤙 🍠🌶️ 🍜