Korean Beef Noodles Savory Sweet (Print Version)
Tender beef and chewy sweet potato noodles in a savory-sweet Korean sauce with crisp vegetables for a comforting dinner.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Beef
01 - 12 oz beef sirloin or ribeye, thinly sliced
02 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tsp sugar
05 - 1 garlic clove, minced
→ Noodles
06 - 10 oz Korean sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon) or dried udon noodles
→ Vegetables
07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 3.5 oz shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced
10 - 3.5 oz baby spinach
11 - 2 spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
→ Sauce
12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
14 - 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
15 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
16 - 2 tsp sesame oil
17 - 1 tbsp water
18 - 1 tsp grated ginger
→ Garnish
19 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
20 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for at least 10 minutes at room temperature.
02 - Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender. Drain well, rinse under cold running water to stop cooking, and set aside.
03 - Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, rice vinegar, sesame oil, water, and grated ginger in a small bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Set aside.
04 - Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil and sauté carrot, bell pepper, and mushrooms for 3 to 4 minutes until just tender. Add spinach and spring onions, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes longer until wilted. Transfer vegetables to a plate.
05 - In the same wok, add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until browned and cooked through.
06 - Return the cooked vegetables and noodles to the wok with the beef. Pour in the sauce and toss everything together for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and evenly coated.
07 - Divide the noodles among serving bowls. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The chewy sweet potato noodles soak up that spicy-sweet sauce like nothing else, creating this incredible slippery texture that keeps you coming back for another bite
- You can prep everything ahead and have dinner ready in the time it takes to boil water, which feels like magic on busy weeknights
02 -
- Don't overcrowd your wok when cooking the beef or vegetables—work in batches if needed so everything sears properly instead of steaming
- Rinsing the cooked noodles under cold water is essential to stop cooking and remove excess starch, which keeps them from becoming gummy
03 -
- Partially freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing—it becomes firm enough to cut paper-thin strips with ease
- Toast extra sesame seeds and keep them in a jar, ready to sprinkle over everything from rice bowls to roasted vegetables