Japchae Recipe & Video

If you’re craving Korean comfort food that’s colorful, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing, this Japchae recipe is just for you. Japchae is a popular Korean dish made from sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, beef, and a slightly sweet soy-based sauce. Best of all, it’s gluten-free and naturally loaded with textures and nutrients. Whether served warm or at room temperature, Japchae is perfect for gatherings, weeknight dinners, or even as a make-ahead dish for lunch.

📺 Watch How to Make This Japchae

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Japchae

You’ll need:

• 6 oz Korean Glass Noodles (Dangmyeon)
• 1/2 lb ribeye or your choice of meat, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, julienned
• 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3–4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 4–5 oz spinach
• 2–3 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce (Kikoman Organic)
• 1 tbsp Mirin
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

These ingredients create a beautiful balance of umami, sweetness, and aroma that defines the unique flavor of Japchae.

📍 Tips for the Best Japchae

• Don’t overcook the noodles—they should be springy, not mushy.
• Season each component as you cook it for maximum flavor.
• You can make this ahead of time and serve it at room temperature.
• For a vegetarian version, check my Vegetarian Japchae Recipe

These tips help ensure your Japchae is flavorful and well-balanced every time.

❓ FAQ

Can I use other noodles?
Traditionally, Japchae is made with dangmyeon, but you can try glass noodles made from mung beans or other starches if needed.

Can I make Japchae ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it’s often better after the flavors have melded for a few hours.

Is Japchae gluten-free?
It is if you use gluten-free soy sauce and check your other sauces and seasonings.

🍳 How to Make Japchae

Cut beef trig-tip into long, thin strips. You could use beef chuck, sirloin, or boneless short ribs. If you don’t like beef, go ahead and use chicken, pork, or even tofu or extra mushrooms for a vegetarian version!

Combine l in a medium mixing bowl. Let marinate while preparing other ingredients.

Cut onion, red bell pepper, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms into long thin strips.

Beat eggs with some salt.

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tsp oil; swirl to coat. Add beaten eggs and swirl the skillet to cover the surface in a thin layer of eggs. Cook until just set, about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip over and cook for another minute.

Slip the omelet onto a cutting board and let it cool before the cut.

Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp oil and sliced onion. Season with a pinch of salt, sauté 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the onion from the pan and keep warm. (Place on a plate or a bowl where you are going to mix the entire japchae.) 

Add 1 tsp oil to the pan and red pepper with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 1 minute. Remove the chili pepper from the pan and keep warm. 

Add 1 tsp oil to the pan, carrots, and a pinch of salt. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the carrot from the pan and keep warm. 

Wipe off excess oil from the pan and add mushrooms. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan, keep warm. 

Add 1 tsp oil and add marinated beef to the pan; sauté for 2 to 5 minutes or until beef is cooked through and all moisture has evaporated. Remove from pan, keep warm.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt.  Add the spinach and cook for about 10 seconds, not much longer.

Move the spinach from the boiling water to the ice water immediately. Gently squeeze out the water from the spinach. Set aside with the other veggies.

Ta-da-! So pretty!

In the same water, cook Dangmyun, Korean sweet potato noodles. Boil noodles according to package directions for 6 to 10 minutes.

You can find Dangmyun, Korean sweet potato noodles easily online or at local Asian grocery stores!

Meanwhile, the noodles are cooking, whisk all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl, set aside.

 Drain the cooked noodles and place them in a large mixing bowl. If you prefer, cut the noodles as needed. Pour 2/3 of the sauce into the noodles and gently mix until the noodles absorb all of the sauce.

Add the noodles to the vegetables and beef and pour the rest of the sauce.

Toss gently to combine everything with your hand and/or tongs. 

Garnish Japchae with some additional sesame seeds as desired. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions for Japchae

• On its own as a main dish!
• As a banchan (side dish) when you’re having a Korean feast
• In a lunchbox or meal prep container
• Alongside grilled meats or Korean BBQ

However you enjoy it, Japchae adds color and flavor to any meal.

📌 There You Have It!

Japchae is a dish that delivers on taste, texture, and presentation. Once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy it freshly made or the next day—either way, it’s delicious.

Japchae Korean Glass Noodles

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5 from 30 reviews

• Author: Seonkyoung Longest
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Yield: 6 1x

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

For the Beef

• 1/2 lb beef, cut into 3" long thin strips (such as sirloin, chuck, short ribs or tri-tip)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp mirin (Seasoned rice wine, if you don't have it, leave it out)
• 1 clove garlic, chopped

For Vegetables & Egg Omlet

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 medium size onion, thinly silced
• 1 1/4 bell pepper, fine julienne
• 1/2 large size carrot, fine julienne
• 5 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced (You can substitute to any other mushrooms)
• 12 oz spinach (1 large bunch), cleaned well
• salt and vegetable oil

For the Noodles

• 14 to 16 oz Korean glass noodle, Dangmyun

For the Sauce

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup sugar, honey or agave nectar (if you are using agave, add additional 1 tbsp soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients for beef in a medium mixing bowl. Let marinate while preparing other ingredients.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tsp oil; swirl to coat. Add beaten eggs and swirl the skillet to the egg cover surface in a thin layer. Cook until it’s just set, about 2 to 3 minutes, then flip over and cook for another minute. Slip the omelet onto a plate and let it cool.
3. Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp oil and sliced onion. Season with a pinch of salt, sauté 4 to 5 minutes. Remove onion from pan and keep warm. (Place the entire japchae on a plate or a bowl where you are going to mix it.)
4. Add 1 tsp oil to the pan and red pepper with a pinch of salt. Sauté 1 minute. Remove chili pepper from pan and keep warm. Add 1 tsp oil to the pan, carrots, and a pinch of salt. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Remove carrot from pan and keep warm.
5. Wipe off excess oil from the pan and add mushrooms. Sauté 2 tp 3 minutes. Remove from pan, keep warm.
6. Add 1 tsp oil and add marinated beef to the pan; sauté for 2 to 5 minutes or until beef is cooked through and all moisture has evaporated. Remove from pan, keep warm.
7. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Add the spinach and cook for about 10 seconds, not much longer. Move the spinach from the boiling water to the ice water immediately. Squeeze out water from the spinach gently. Set aside with other veggies.
8. Cook the Korean sweet potato noodles in the same water. Boil the noodles according to the package directions for 6 to 10 minutes.
9. While the noodles are cooking, whisk all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside. Slice the cooled egg omelet into thin ribbons and set aside. Drain the cooked noodles and place them in a large mixing bowl.
10. If you prefer, cut the noodles as needed. Pour 2/3 of the sauce into the noodles and gently mix until the noodles absorb all of the sauce. Add the noodles to the vegetables and beef, tossing gently to combine everything with your hand and/or tongs.
11. Garnish Japchae with additional sesame seeds, if desired. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Enjoy!

• Cook Time: 20 mins

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