Japchae is a classic celebratory Korean dish. It stands out due to the texture of Dangmyeon (transparent noodles made from sweet potato starch), which are incredibly chewy. Unlike many stir-fries where everything is cooked together, the traditional method involves cooking ingredients separately to preserve their individual colors and flavors.

Prep Time	Cook Time	Serves
25 minutes	15 minutes	4

Part A: Ingredients

• Noodles: 8 oz Sweet Potato Starch Noodles (Dangmyeon).
• Protein/Veg: 6 oz Beef Sirloin (cut into matchsticks), 1 small Onion (sliced), 1 large Carrot (matchsticks), 4 oz Fresh Spinach, 5 Shiitake Mushrooms (sliced).
• Sauce: $1/3$ cup Soy Sauce, 3 Tbsp Sesame Oil, 2 Tbsp Sugar, 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds, 1 clove Garlic (minced).

Part B: Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Noodles

1. Boil the noodles for 7 minutes or until soft and chewy. Drain and rinse in cold water.
2. Using kitchen shears, cut the noodles a few times to make them easier to eat.
3. Toss the noodles with 1 Tbsp of the sauce to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Sauté the Components

1. Spinach: Blanch for 30 seconds, rinse in cold water, squeeze dry, and season with a pinch of salt and sesame oil.
2. Vegetables: In a large skillet with 1 tsp oil, sauté the onions and carrots with a pinch of salt until softened. Remove. Sauté mushrooms similarly.
3. Beef: Stir-fry the beef matchsticks over high heat until fully cooked.

Step 3: Combine

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the noodles, all cooked vegetables, and beef.
2. Pour the remaining sauce over the mixture. Use your hands (tongs are fine, but hands are traditional) to toss everything thoroughly until the noodles are glossy and the sugar is dissolved.
3. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve warm or at room temperature.