Jjapaguri with Steak (RamDon from Parasite)

Jjapaguri (짜빠구리) is an upgraded version of Korean instant noodles. A few years ago, Jjapaguri was created by cooking the instant Jjajangmyeon (Chapagetti 짜빠게티) and Spicy Udon (Neoguri 너구리) together but without soup. However, now due to the popularity of the movie, Parasite, Jjapaguri is widely known as RamDon (Ramen + Udon). Who doesn’t know the Academy-award winner movie Parasite nowadays, right? In the movie, Jjapaguri is upgraded even more by adding hanwoo beef steak – the top-grade beef cut.

Well, my version of Jjapaguri with steak or RamDon won’t break the bank. Yes, there will be steak, but we’ll use the affordable regular sirloin steak instead. The key is to cook it briefly in a high heat, so that it will still be juicy and tender. So, there you go, this RamDon with steak will not disappoint you. It will be ‘luxury’ delicious noodle that is slurpy good, flavorful combined with juicy and tender steak.

Also, I think many versions of Jjapaguri will add the vegetable flakes while boiling the noodles. I usually add the vegetables flakes when combining the noodles with the steak – the secret is adding a bit of the leftover boiled water from cooking the noodle. That way, you still get soft vegetables at the end without wasting a bunch of the vegetable flakes while draining the noodle.

Tool I used:

• Skillet – Easy to clean, heat-up evenly, and, the best part, it is non-stick. Great tool to have for stir-frying, making omelet, and much more.
• Non-stick large pot – Easy to clean, heat-up evenly, and, the best part, it is non-stick. This pot is a great tool to have when you like to make soup, stew, ramen or just to boil water in large quantities.

Tip: Boil the instant noodle and cook the steak about the same time – You don’t want the noodle to get soggy, and you don’t want to overcook the steak. By cooking them both at the same time, you get the best of both worlds. Also, if you like spicy food, you can always add sliced Serrano pepper or Thai chili. It will give you a good kick in this Ram-Don.

Ingredient:

• 1 pack Chapagetti (짜파게티Korean instant noodle)
• 1 pack Neoguri (너구리Korean instant noodle)
• ½ lb sirloin steak – cut into bite-sized
• 2 cloves garlic – minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Water to boil
• Salt and pepper
• Sliced green onion (to garnish)
• Roasted sesame seed (to garnish)
• Shredded Nori seaweed (to garnish)

Direction:

• In a large pot, add about 3 cups of water. Bring the water to boil. Also, start heating up the olive oil in the skillet – you want to cook the steak about the same time as you boil the noodle.
• Add the noodles to the boiled water and cook about 2 to 3 minutes (close to al dente – you will cook it again when combined with the steak).
• Keep about ½ cup of the boiled water. Drain the noodle.
• About the same time you are boiling the noodle, heat up the olive oil in a skillet under medium-high heat. Once heated, add minced garlic, the bite-sized steak, a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until the steak got a nice brown color – about 2 minutes.
• Add the noodle and the boiled water into the skillet. Add all the noodle seasonings, oil and vegetable flakes that comes from packets. If you are not a big fan of spicy food, don’t add all the Neoguri’s seasoning – this one makes the RamDon a bit spicy.
• Stir until all is mixed well. Let it cook for another minute or so. Serve, garnish with sliced green onion, nori seaweed, and sesame seed. Enjoy!