Recipe combo

Japchae with Tofu and Vegetables

Bouncy sweet potato starch noodles tossed with tofu, mushrooms, spinach, carrots, garlic, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. This vegan japchae is savory-sweet, vegetable-forward, and great for meal prep.

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Ingredients and instructions

Servings
4
Total time
45 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min

Ingredients

  • 8 Ounce Sweet potato starch glass noodles - 8 oz
  • 14 Ounce Extra-firm tofu - 14 oz, Pressed between paper towels, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
  • 0.25 Cup Low-sodium soy sauce - 1/4 cup
  • 2 Tablespoon Toasted sesame oil - 2 tbsp
  • 1 Tablespoon Brown sugar - 1 tbsp
  • 3 Count Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
  • 8 Ounce Cremini mushrooms - 8 oz, sliced
  • 1 Count Yellow onion - 1 medium, thinly sliced
  • 2 Count Carrots - 2 medium, julienned
  • 5 Ounce Baby spinach - 5 oz
  • 4 Each Scallions - 4, sliced
  • 2 Tablespoon Neutral cooking oil - 2 tbsp, Divided: 1 tablespoon for tofu and 1 tablespoon for vegetables.

Instructions

  1. Prep tofu and vegetables

    1. *Press the tofu* between paper towels, then cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. *Mince the garlic*, slice the mushrooms, thinly slice the onion, julienne the carrots, and slice the scallions.

  2. Cook the noodles

    2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the sweet potato starch noodles and cook until *bouncy and tender*, about *6 to 7 minutes*. Drain, rinse briefly under cool water, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

  3. Make the sauce

    3. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic until the sugar is *mostly dissolved* and the sauce is *glossy*.

  4. Cook the tofu

    4. Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until *lightly golden*, about *6 to 8 minutes*. Transfer to the bowl with the noodles.

  5. Sauté the vegetables

    5. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon neutral oil to the skillet. Cook the mushrooms, onion, and carrots until the mushrooms are *browned at the edges* and the carrots are *crisp-tender*, about *5 to 6 minutes*.

  6. Wilt the spinach

    6. Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until *just wilted*, about *1 minute*. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the noodles and tofu.

  7. Toss with sauce

    7. Pour the sauce over the noodle mixture. Use tongs to *toss thoroughly* until the noodles are evenly coated and the vegetables are *well distributed*.

  8. Finish and serve

    8. Add the scallions and toss again. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled after *at least 20 minutes* for *meal-prep flavor*.