Japchae
Japchae is a Korean sweet potato glass noodle dish tossed with vegetables and a glossy soy-sesame seasoning.
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45 mintotal
Prep 20 min · Cook 25 min
- Serves
- 2
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Spice
- Mild
Ingredients
Quantities are for 2 servings.
You'll need: Stovetop.
No inactive time, and japchae is as good at room temperature as it is warm, so it can sit for a while once tossed.
Method
Boil the dangmyeon until chewy and translucent, then rinse briefly under cool water and drain well.
Cut the drained noodles with kitchen scissors into shorter lengths for easier mixing and eating.
Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic in a bowl until the sugar mostly dissolves.
Heat the neutral oil in a wide pan and cook the onion, carrot, and mushroom with the measured salt until just tender.
Wilt the spinach in the same pan, then squeeze out excess moisture when it is cool enough to handle.
Return the noodles and cooked vegetables to the pan over low heat. Add the seasoning mixture and toss until the noodles look glossy.
Fold in the spring onion greens and sesame seeds, then serve warm or at room temperature.
How to tell it's done
The noodles should be glossy, chewy, and separate, with vegetables that remain colorful and lightly crisp.
Getting it right
Tip
Do not overboil the dangmyeon; it should stay springy because it will absorb seasoning in the pan.
What to serve it with
Serve as a light main dish or as a shared side with rice and simple Korean-style vegetables.
Substitutions
- Use Button Mushrooms if regular Mushroom is not available.
- Add thinly sliced cooked Beef Sirloin for a non-vegetarian japchae variation, though the dish will no longer be vegetarian.
- Check soy sauce labels for wheat/gluten; the recipe should not be described as gluten-free unless all packaged ingredients are verified.





