Japchae ala Zu

Japchae is a korean dish which is actually glass noodle salad. It uses the sweet potato glass noodle instead of the mung bean ones that we normally see in the supermarket. I like this one better as it is chewy and slightly thicker than the regular mung bean version. It is almost as thick as the laksa noodle, maybe slightly thinner. So in the midst of clearing my pantry and refrigerator, I decided to make this for my lunch in the office today.

You can get the more authentic recipe from here For me I stir fry everything and have it as a main dish :D The sauce ingredients are generally sesame seed oil, soya sauce and sugar or honey for sweetening effect.


The amount of seasonings is estimated amount, adjust them accordingly to your taste. My version has not meet but you can add beef or chicken if you like.

Ingredients:

1 T soya sauce (I used kicap manis Habhal brand, cap kipas udang)

1 T sesame oil

1/2 T fish sauce

1 t sugar

1 medium carrot, julienned

5 shitake mushroom, sliced into thin slices

1 package baby bak choy, rinsed thoroughly

1 block firmed tofu, cut into long, thin pieces

half of yellow onions, sliced

3 cloves of garlic, chopped

2 red chili, sliced

2 T olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

1 package sweet potato glass noodles (I used Singlong brand, you can easily get the korean made ones at the supermarket), cook as per package instruction

sesame seed for garnishing

Method:

1. Cook the glass noodle as per the instruction on the package, drain and toss it with 1/2 T soya sauce and 1/2 T sesame oil

2. Heat 1T olive oil and lightly fry the tofu till they turn slightly brown, scoop them out

3. Add the balance olive oil and stir fry the onions and garlic

4. Once onions turns translucent and fragrant, add carrots and mushroom

5. Mix and add some water from soaking the mushroom, this is to prevent burning of the vegetables

6. Add bak choy stir till soften then add the glass noodles

7. Stir them well and add the balance soya sauce, fish sauce, sugar and pepper, adjust the seasonings according to your taste

8. Add the tofu, stir gently so as not to break the tofu pieces, add a bit more liquid if you find it getting too dry,

9. Lastly add the sliced chilli for a little heat, turn of fire, serve with sprinkles of sesame seed