If you’re a Korean food lover, japchae needs no introduction. With chewy glass noodles, thin silvers of colorful vegetables, julienned omelet, mushrooms, and meat all on one plate, this famous Korean noodle dish might just be the perfect food. This japchae recipe is the result of my YouTube collaboration with my good friend Seonkyoung Longest, who is a Korean-born celebrity chef. We’ll show you all the tips and tricks on how to make the best japchae at home.
What is Japchae?
Japchae (잡채 – or chapchae) is a classic Korean stir-fried noodle dish seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce. The name japchae describes a mix of finely cut ingredients—vegetables, egg, mushroom, and meat—that are included in the noodles. According to Seonkyoung, Korean cuisine shares the same philosophy as Japanese cuisine where the balancing of colors and seasonality are taken into consideration. The juxtaposition of flavors and textures and the vibrant colors are all part of the appeal of a recipe like japchae. As one of Korea’s most-loved dishes, not only can you find japchae being served at small parties, fancy banquets, and special occasions like New Year’s day, but it is also a staple dish enjoyed any day of the week. In Korea, people enjoy japchae hot, warm, or even at room temperature, because it is delicious regardless of how you serve it.
What Are Korean Sweet Potato Glass Noodles (Dangmyeon)?
Korean sweet potato glass noodles called dangmyeon (당면) are made from the starch of sweet potatoes. They do not contain wheat so they are gluten-free. The noodles are stiff and grayish looking and often sold dried in a big bag. Once cooked, they become translucent and tender. They also come in long strands, so you’ll need to cut them in half or thirds after cooking. Learn more about dangmyeon in my pantry post.
How to Make Japchae
You’ll need to do some prep work to get all the ingredients ready, but apart from that, japchae is a relatively easy dish to put together. The noodles store well in the refrigerator for a day or two and reheat easily, so you can definitely make it in advance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Korean sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon): These springy glass noodles are an integral component of japchae. Please do not substitute it with other types of glass noodles. It will change the character of the dish. The good news is you can easily find sweet potato noodles in Korean or Asian grocery stores or online. Vegetables: We used onion, carrots, bell peppers, and spinach in the recipe. Shiitake mushrooms: If you cannot find shiitake mushrooms, sub with other meaty types of mushrooms.Eggs: You make a thin omelet and cut it into thin strips. You can leave it out for a vegan japchae. Protein: We used thinly sliced beef, but you can leave it out or swap it with seafood, tofu, or use more shiitake mushrooms. Roasted sesame oil: It adds an unmistakably wonderful and nutty aroma to the dish. Use generously. Japchae sauce: Korean soy sauce*, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, and black pepper.
*Korean soy sauce is best, but you can sub it with Japanese soy sauce.
Overview: Cooking Steps
Cut all the ingredients into julienne strips. It’s important to thinly slice all the ingredients into a uniform shape so they mix well with the long noodles. That way when you eat, the veggies, eggs, and meat will cling to the noodles and have more balanced flavors.Stir fry, blanch, and cook each ingredient separately. Each ingredient has a different texture and it requires a different cooking time, so we need to cook them separately. Stir-frying everything all at once in the frying pan will only result in uneven textures as some vegetables will wilt before the others are cooked. Cooking separately also helps keep the colors of each ingredient nice and bright!Mix all together! After everything is prepared and cooked, place the ingredients in a large platter or bowl, then pour the sauce over the noodles first and let them absorb the flavors. Once the noodles are well coated, get ready to mix! We’ll do the traditional Korean way by putting on plastic gloves and tossing the noodles with everything else together.
What Dishes to Serve with Japchae
I love that you can enjoy japchae in any way you like. It certainly makes a fulfilling standalone meal itself. For a party, you can serve it on a large platter directly as the main dish on the table, or as a smaller side (banchan) along with other dishes. Here are some of our favorite recipes that go well with japchae:
Quick Korean Fresh KimchiKorean PancakeGluten-Free Korean Veggie PancakeKimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
More Korean Recipes
If you enjoy Korean cuisine, please visit Seonkyoung at her website and YouTube channel. She’s a gem and I know you’ll love her! Last but not least, I wanted to thank Seonkyoung for collaborating with me to make this amazing recipe video for JOC readers. This has been a fun and enriching experience, and we both hope that you enjoy watching our video and making japchae with us. Wish to learn more about Japanese cooking? Sign up for our free newsletter to receive cooking tips & recipe updates! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram. Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 5, 2016. The post has been updated with more information in August 2022.
