Japchae (잡채), Korean Glass Noodle Stir Fry, holds an honored place in Korean cuisine, originally created as a royal dish during the Joseon Dynasty but evolving into a beloved celebration food that graces tables at every major Korean holiday and celebration. This colorful medley of glass noodles and vegetables represents the Korean culinary principle of harmonizing colors, textures, and nutrients in a single dish. The name itself, which means “mixed vegetables,” belies the sophisticated interplay of ingredients that makes this dish so special.
What makes japchae particularly remarkable is its transformation from royal court cuisine to everyday favorite while maintaining its festive character. The chewy, translucent sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon) serve as the perfect canvas for a variety of vegetables and proteins, each ingredient carefully prepared to contribute its optimal texture and flavor. The dish exemplifies the Korean cooking philosophy where each component is seasoned and cooked separately before being brought together in a final harmonious combination.
In modern Korean dining, japchae continues to play a central role in both special occasions and casual meals. Whether served at room temperature at a holiday gathering, packed in a lunchbox, or enjoyed as banchan, japchae’s versatility and broad appeal make it a staple of Korean cuisine. Its striking presentation, with each ingredient adding its own color and texture, makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Beautiful presentation
- Versatile serving temperature
- Make-ahead friendly
- Customizable ingredients
- Perfect party dish
- Naturally gluten-free (with GF soy sauce)
What is Japchae?
Japchae (잡채) is a Korean dish of sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon) stir-fried with various vegetables and proteins, seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. Each ingredient is typically cooked separately to maintain optimal texture before being combined.
Korean Glass Noodles
Ingredients
For the Noodles
- 12 oz sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
Vegetables
- 2 medium carrots julienned
- 1 medium onion(s) thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups spinach blanched and sqeezed dry
- 4 shiitake mushrooms (fresh or rehydrated) sliced
- 1/2 cup woodear mushrooms
- 2 egg(s) beaten, fried thin and julienned
- 3 green onion(s) cut into 2-inch lengths
For the Seasoning
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water until soft (about 30 minutes).
- Cook sweet potato noodles in boiling water until clear and chewy (about 5 minutes).
- Drain, cut into manageable lengths, and season with soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Make thin egg omelet, cool, and julienne.
- Blanch spinach, squeeze out excess water, and season with a little salt and sesame oil.
- Heat oil in a pan and separately sauté each vegetable:– Carrots until crisp-tender– Onions until translucent– Mushrooms until cooked through– Green onions until just wilted
- Combine noodles, vegetables, and egg in a large bowl.
- Add seasoning ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly.
- Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the noodles
- Cook vegetables separately for best texture
- Cut ingredients in similar sizes
- Season noodles while hot
- Adjust seasoning to taste
Serving Suggestions
Serve:- Room temperature at parties
- Hot as a main dish
- As part of a Korean meal
- For special occasions
- In lunch boxes
Variations
- Add bulgogi beef or chicken
- Include different mushrooms
- Add bell peppers for color
- Make it spicy with gochugaru
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving, or gently reheat. Add a drizzle of sesame oil when reheating to refresh the flavors.Nutrition
Find more great Nosh With David Recipes, including authentic Korean recipes like this one, at https://www.noshwithdavid.com/recipes/
Key ingredients from this recipe include:
Sempio Soy Sauce
Kadoya Sesame Oil
Shirakiku Roasted Sesame Seeds
Sweet Potato Starch Noodles (dangmyeon)
Need help with what ingredients to stock? Check out My Essential Korean Pantry article. This article describes each essential ingredient with links to where you can buy them easily!
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