Best Korean Chap Chae Vegetarian Recipes

KOREAN CHAP CHAE (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Soak Chinese mushrooms in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes.
• When they have softened, cut off the hard stems and slice the caps fine.
• Drop spinach into 10 cups of boiling water and boil rapidly for 2 minutes. Drain, run under cold water then squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
• Peel carrot, cut into 3 sections and then into fine julienne strips.
• Wipe off the fresh mushrooms and break off their stems. Cut the caps into very fine slices. Cut the nonwoody part of the stems into matchstick pieces.
• Cut away and discard the curly, tender part of the cabbage leaves. Save only the V-shaped core of the leaves and cut this into julienne strips.
• Cut the scallions into 2 1/2 inch sections and quarter the section with the bulb lengthwise.
• Combine the Chinese mushrooms, spinach, carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, cabbage, and scallions in a bowl. Mix well, separating all the spinach leaves.
• Heat the vegetable oil and the sesame oil in a wok over a medium-high flame. When hot, put in the garlic and stir-fry for 10 seconds.
• Add all the vegetables in the bowl. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Turn the heat to low, and add the drained noodles, soy sauce, and salt. Stir well, distributing the noodles evenly, and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
• Season to taste.

VEGETARIAN KOREAN NOODLES (JAPCHAE)

Steps:

• For the sauce: Combine the sugar, tamari, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and ginger in a small bowl. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
• For the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and stir to help submerge them. Cook until the noodles are just barely cooked, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Using kitchen shears or a clean pair of scissors, cut the noodles into approximately 8-inch lengths. Set aside.
• Heat the grapeseed oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the oyster and shiitake mushrooms and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, for about 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms are beginning to brown. Add the shallots and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Add the red pepper, garlic and scallions to the pan, reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the peppers are beginning to soften. Add the kale and the cooked noodles and saute another 3 minutes, stirring often to coat the noodles in the oil and to wilt the kale. Add the sauce and toss to coat. Top with sesame seeds if desired.

KOREAN-STYLE NOODLES WITH VEGETABLES (CHAP CHAE)

Steps:

• Soak noodles in a bowl of warm water to cover until softened, about 10 minutes, then drain in a colander. Cook noodles in a 3- to 4-quart pot of boiling water until tender, about 2 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Blend tamari, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic in a blender until smooth.
• Heat safflower oil in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke, then stir-fry onion and carrots until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until softened, about 3 minutes. Add spinach and stir-fry 30 seconds, then add noodles and tamari mixture and toss to coat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a shallow serving dish and serve warm or at room temperature.
• Chap chae can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

VEGAN JAPCHAE KOREAN NOODLES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil; stir in noodles and return to a boil. Cook noodles uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Toss noodles with 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Cut into shorter pieces using kitchen shears.
• Combine soy sauce and sugar in a bowl.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute carrots and onion until soft, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms, green onions, and garlic. Saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the noodles, soy sauce mixture, and spinach. Cook and stir until noodles are heated through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from heat. Toss in remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and sesame seeds.