Korean Glass Noodles

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.

My Essential Korean Pantry contains several of these ingredients, specifically:

• 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!