Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles) Recipe - A Festive Korean Favorite

Post five in our "10 Easy Korean Recipes" series is Japchae (잡채), a colorful stir-fried glass noodle dish traditionally served at Korean celebrations and holidays. It looks impressive on the table, but the technique behind it is actually quite approachable.

Why This Recipe Works Abroad

Korean sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon) are sold at most Asian grocery stores and online. The rest of the ingredients are simply vegetables and protein that you likely already buy regularly.

Ingredients (Serves 3-4)

200g Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon, sweet potato starch noodles)
150g beef (sirloin) or pork, thinly sliced (optional)
1 carrot, julienned
1/2 onion, sliced
2 cups spinach
4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms (or fresh mushrooms), sliced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil, plus extra for finishing
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Substitutions

No dangmyeon noodles? These are essential to this dish's texture and are worth seeking out at an Asian market or online, as regular noodles won't give the same chewy result.
No shiitake mushrooms? Any mushroom variety works fine.
Feel free to swap in bell peppers or other vegetables you have on hand.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the noodles. Boil the glass noodles according to the package instructions (usually 6-8 minutes) until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water, and cut into shorter lengths with scissors. Toss with a little sesame oil and soy sauce to prevent sticking.
Prep the protein. If using beef or pork, marinate briefly with a little soy sauce, sugar, and garlic, then stir-fry until cooked through. Set aside.
Stir-fry the vegetables separately. Sauté the carrot, onion, and mushrooms separately in a bit of vegetable oil, each seasoned lightly with salt. Blanch the spinach briefly in boiling water, then squeeze out excess water and season with a pinch of salt and sesame oil.
Combine everything. In a large bowl or pan, combine the noodles, protein, and all the vegetables. Add soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil, then toss everything together thoroughly, adjusting seasoning to taste.
Finish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving. Japchae can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Pro Tips

Cooking each vegetable separately keeps the colors vibrant and prevents everything from turning into a soggy mix.
Japchae actually tastes great the next day, making it a good make-ahead dish for gatherings.