Korean Glass Noodles (Jap Chae)

Ingredients

• 0.5 pounds dried Korean sweet potato noodles
• 2.5 teaspoons sesame oil , divided
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 0.75 cups thinly sliced onions
• 2 carrots , cut into matchsticks
• 2 cloves garlic , finely minced
• 3 scallions , cut into 1-inch lengths
• 0.5 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms
• 0.5 pounds spinach , well washed and drained
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1

   Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil; stir in vermicelli pasta and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain and return to the pot; toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Use kitchen shears to cut noodles into approximately 8-inch lengths. Set noodles aside.

2. 2

   Mix soy sauce and sugar together in a bowl. Heat oil in a large saute pan or wok over high heat and swirl to coat. Add carrots and onions to the hot oil and fry until just softened, about 1 minute. Add garlic, scallions, and mushrooms and fry for 30 seconds more. Add spinach, soy sauce mixture, and cooked noodles. Fry until noodles are warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and toss with sesame seeds and remaining sesame oil.