Ram-don aka Jjapaguri Recipe from the Oscar-winning movie Parasite (2024)

Ingredients

For the steak:

• 6-12 oz. steak (sirloin, ribeye, or a well-marbled chuck will work well)
• 1 tbsp. mirin (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp. sesame oil (optional)
• 1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
• 2-3 tbsp. butter (depending on how much steak you use)
• Salt
• Pepper

For the jjapaguri:

• 1 package Chapaghetti
• 1 package Neoguri
• 2 eggs (optional)
• 1-2 tbsp. chopped scallions (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the steak into 1 inch cubes and season generously with salt. For additional flavor, transfer to a bowl and marinate in 1 tbsp. mirin and 1/2 tbsp. sesame oil, stirring to coat evenly. For optimal results, do this step 30 minutes before cooking.
2. Boil 5 cups of water in a pot.
3. Before you start cooking the noodles, heat 1 tbsp oil and 2-3 tbsp. butter in a heavy bottomed skillet or cast iron skillet on medium high heat. Once butter is foaming, add the steak in an even layer and let sit for 2-3 minutes without disturbing until a crust has formed on the steak. Flip and cook the other side for another 2 minutes, finishing the steak with fresh ground pepper and stir frying until the steak has color on all sides and turn off heat. If desired, drain some of the excess butter and fat, but leave at least 1 tbsp. which will add flavor to the noodles.
4. While steak is cooking, add both of the dry noodles and dehydrated vegetable packets and the dried kelp from the Neoguri to the boiling water, cooking for 4 minutes. Use chopsticks to lift the noodles out of the water and then re-submerge them occasionally – this will help produce a chewy texture in the noodles. Once noodles are done, drain the noodles, reserving 1 cup of noodle water
5. Add the noodles, full packet of Chapaghetti seasoning, 1/2 packet of Neoguri seasoning, and 1/2 cup of noodle water to the skillet with the beef, stirring well to combine. Taste and add additional noodle water and Neoguri seasoning to achieve the desired sauce consistency and flavor (Neoguri seasoning is spicy and salty so be cautious).
6. Optional: fry 1-2 eggs while your noodles are cooking. They don’t do this in the movie, but it’s a really delicious and recommended addition.
7. Transfer your noodles to 1-2 bowls, top with fried eggs and chopped scallions if desired, and enjoy!

Notes

If you make my version of ram-don jjapaguri, I’d love to see the final product. Tag your photos and stories on Instagram with @indulgenteats and #indulgentrecipes so I can see them!