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Japchae

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japchae

Glass noodles stir-fried with beef and colorful vegetables.

Medium45 min4 servings★ 79Contains soyContains sesameContains gluten
🍲

History & culture

Japchae stir-fries sweet potato glass noodles with beef and seasoned vegetables, often credited to a seventeenth-century Joseon court story involving King Gwanghaegun, though details vary. Early versions may have used thicker noodles and less sugar than today's festive recipe. In the twentieth century it became a Chuseok and potluck favorite, spreading overseas with Korean diaspora gatherings.

Servings
4

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Ingredients & steps

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Ingredients

  • Onion
    1/2 medium, sliced
  • Thinly sliced beef

    Substitutesirloin or ribeye or sliced thin at home

    150 g
  • Zucchini
    1/2 medium, julienned
  • Sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
    200 g
  • Toasted sesame seeds
    1 tbsp
  • Water
    6 cups, for soaking and blanching
  • CarrotOptional
    1 medium, julienned
  • Spinach

    Substitutebaby spinach or chard

    100 g

Seasonings

  • Soy sauce

    SubstituteTsuyu (diluted) 8 tsp (2 tsp per 1 tbsp) or Tamari 4 tbsp

    4 tbsp
  • Toasted sesame oil

    Substitutea small amount of olive oil (flavor differs)

    2 tbsp
  • Sugar
    2 tbsp
  • Rice wine (mirim / cooking wine)

    Substitutedry sherry or water + pinch of sugar

    1 tbsp

Steps

  1. 1High heat25 min

    Soak glass noodles in warm water 20 minutes. Boil 5 minutes until translucent, drain and cut.

    • Sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
    • Water
  2. 2Medium heat10 min

    Briefly blanch beef in boiling water, rinse, then stir-fry beef, onion, zucchini and spinach separately in sesame oil.

    • Thinly sliced beef
    • Onion
    • Zucchini
    • Spinach
    • Water
    • Toasted sesame oil
  3. 3Medium heat3 min

    Toss noodles with soy sauce, sugar, rice wine and sesame oil. Add vegetables and beef.

    • Sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon)
    • Soy sauce
    • Sugar
    • Rice wine (mirim / cooking wine)
    • Toasted sesame oil
  4. 4

    Garnish with sesame seeds and serve warm or at room temperature.

    • Toasted sesame seeds

Storage & reheating

Refrigerate 3 days. Microwave or pan-toss with sesame oil to refresh.

Troubleshooting

  • ⚠️ Noodles clump

    → Toss with sesame oil immediately after boiling; do not skip soaking.

  • ⚠️ Too salty

    → Reduce soy sauce; balance with extra sugar and sesame oil.