Kongnamul Japchae (Soybean Sprouts Japchae)

Method6 steps · about 25 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Boil 2 cups of water in a pan over medium high heat. Add the soybean sprouts (8 ounces) and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the sprouts over once, if cooking uncovered, for even cooking. Do not open until done if cooking covered.

   Cook the soybean sprouts · 2 minUses 8 ounces soybean sprouts (kongnamul, 콩나물) · 2 cups water, reserved after cooking the sprouts for the noodles

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Mix the soy sauce (2 tablespoons), sugar (1 tablespoon), garlic (1 teaspoon), sesame oil (1 tablespoon), sesame seeds (1/2 teaspoon) and black pepper until the sugar dissolves. Cut the scallions (2–3) into 2-inch pieces and julienne the red bell pepper (1/4) OR optional half carrot.

   Uses 2 tablespoons soy sauce · 1 tablespoon sugar · 1 teaspoon minced garlic · 1 tablespoon Sesame oil · 1/2 teaspoon Sesame seeds · Pinch of black pepper · 2–3 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces · 1/4 red bell pepper, julienned

3. 3

   Step 3: Lift the cooked soybean sprouts into a bowl and reserve them for the final toss, leaving their cooking liquid in the pan. Add the cooking oil (1 teaspoon), exactly 1 1/2 tablespoons of the prepared sauce and the dry dangmyeon to that liquid. Reserve the remainder of the sauce.

   Uses Reserved sprout cooking liquid; keep cooked sprouts aside · 1 teaspoon cooking oil · 1 1/2 tablespoons prepared sauce; reserve the remainder · 4 ounces Korean sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon, 당면)

4. 4

   Step 4: Cook the noodles about 6–7 minutes, until tender and the liquid is almost gone; add a little hot water if needed to finish firm noodles. Once soft, cut them into shorter lengths with kitchen shears.

   Cook noodles · 7 minUses Noodles in the reserved liquid and sauce · A little hot water if needed for the noodles to become tender

5. 5

   Step 5: Add the prepared scallions and red bell pepper OR carrot strips to the noodles and stir-fry briefly until the vegetables are slightly wilted.

   Uses Tender cut noodles · Prepared scallions and red bell pepper or carrot

6. 6

   Step 6: Add the reserved cooked soybean sprouts and ALL the remaining prepared sauce. Quickly toss until well combined, then turn off the heat.

   Uses Stir-fried noodles and vegetables · Reserved cooked soybean sprouts · All remaining prepared sauce