Discovering New Flavors
My Favorite is Quick Korean Stir-Fried Noodles and One evening, I felt like cooking something different for dinner. I wanted a meal that was quick, tasty, and packed with flavor. I remembered my trip to Korea, where I enjoyed the famous stir-fried noodles called japchae. The noodles were sweet, savory, and full of colorful vegetables. Inspired, I decided to recreate this dish in my own kitchen. I gathered my ingredients: sweet potato noodles, fresh vegetables, and some optional meat.
A Quick and Colorful Preparation
As I started cooking, I soaked the sweet potato noodles and wood ear mushrooms in cold water. I loved watching the noodles soften, transforming into a beautiful golden color. While they soaked, I sliced the king oyster mushrooms, onion, and carrot into thin strips. The colors of the vegetables reminded me of a rainbow, making me excited to taste the final dish. I also mixed up a simple seasoning sauce with soy sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic. The sweet smell filled the kitchen, making my mouth water.
Stir-Frying Magic
Once everything was ready, I heated a pan and added some oil. I tossed in the vegetables and watched them sizzle. The vibrant colors brightened the pan, and I couldn’t help but smile. I added the drained noodles and poured the seasoning sauce over everything. The noodles absorbed all the flavors, and soon the dish was ready in just 10 minutes! It was a magical moment, as the steam rose from the pan and filled the kitchen with delicious aromas.
A Delicious Family Dinner
I plated the noodles and garnished them with thin egg strips and sesame seeds. As I sat down with my family, everyone’s eyes lit up at the sight of the colorful dish. The first bite was a burst of flavors: the sweetness of the noodles mixed with the crunch of the vegetables was simply delightful. My family loved it, and we chatted and laughed over dinner. I was so happy to share this quick Korean stir-fried noodle dish, bringing a piece of Korea to our home. Cooking it was easy, but the joy it brought us was priceless!
Table of Contents
Chef’s Notes-Quick Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
- To save time, you can soak the sweet potato noodles and mushrooms the night before. Store them in the fridge to use when you’re ready to cook.
- Feel free to customize the recipe with seasonal vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or snap peas. Just make sure to slice them thinly for quick cooking.
- Ensure your pan is hot enough before adding the oil and vegetables. This helps to stir-fry quickly and maintain the vibrant colors and crunch of the vegetables.
- Add a splash of rice vinegar or a dash of chili flakes to the seasoning sauce for an extra kick.
- For added texture, sprinkle crushed peanuts or chopped green onions on top before serving. This adds a lovely crunch and enhances the dish’s visual appeal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in a pan with a little oil to restore some of the original texture.
- Always taste the seasoning sauce before adding it to the dish. Adjust the sweetness or saltiness according to your preference.
- Pair with kimchi or pickled vegetables to create a balanced meal that highlights the Korean flavors.
Quick Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
4
plates20
minutes10
minutes350
kcal5
minutes35
minutesDive into the vibrant flavors of Korea with this quick and easy stir-fried noodle dish! Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe brings together sweet potato noodles, colorful veggies, and optional meat in just 10 minutes. It’s a delightful, healthy meal that everyone will love. Get ready to impress your family with this delicious and time-saving Korean classic!
Ingredients
- Meat (Optional)
8 oz pork belly or chicken breast strips
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Egg Garnish (Optional)
2 large eggs
Pinch of kosher salt
1 tsp vegetable oil
- Seasoning Sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 to 1 tsp ground black pepper
5 garlic cloves, finely minced
- Noodles and Vegetables
8 oz sweet potato starch noodles (soaked in cold water for at least 40 minutes)
7-8 dried wood ear mushrooms (soaked in cold water for at least 30 minutes)
8 oz king oyster mushrooms (sliced into long strips)
1 large onion (sliced)
1 large carrot (cut into matchsticks)
8 oz fresh spinach (washed and cut into pieces)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
Directions
- Marinate and Cook Meat (Optional): In a bowl, combine pork belly or chicken strips with soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well until sugar dissolves. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the marinated meat for about 4-5 minutes until fully cooked. Set aside.
- Make Seasoning Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, ground black pepper, and minced garlic until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: Open the lid and gently toss all ingredients with tongs until noodles are shiny and cooked through. Add cooked meat (if using), sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Toss to combine.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with egg strips (if using) and additional sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
Equipment
- Chef’s Knife
- Cutting Board
- Nonstick Pan
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 350kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 600mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 10g
- Vitamin A: 60IU
- Vitamin C: 30mg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 15mg
FAQ- Quick Korean Stir-Fried Noodles
Can I use regular noodles instead of sweet potato noodles?
Yes, you can substitute sweet potato noodles with other types of noodles like rice noodles or even regular wheat noodles, but the texture and flavor will be different.
Is this dish gluten-free?
If you use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, this dish can be made gluten-free. Always check your ingredient labels to ensure they are gluten-free.
Can I make this dish vegan?
Absolutely! You can omit the meat and eggs and use tofu or tempeh as a protein source. The dish remains delicious and hearty.
How spicy is this dish?
The base recipe is not spicy. However, you can adjust the spice level by adding chili flakes or a spicy sauce like gochujang according to your taste.
What can I serve with these stir-fried noodles?
These noodles are great on their own, but you can serve them with a side of kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
