Make japchae, Korean glass noodle stir-fry, the easy way with this simple recipe. Enjoy chewy sweet potato noodles, colorful veggies, and tender meat for an authentic Korean japchae taste.

Japchae (Korean Glass Noodles Stir-Fry) is a popular and delicious Korean dish made with sweet potato starch noodles (also known as glass noodles), vegetables, and sometimes meat, all stir-fried in a savory-sweet sauce. It’s flavorful, colorful, and a great dish for any occasion. Here’s a simple and easy recipe for Japchae that you can make at home:

Ingredients:

For the Japchae:

• 8 oz (225g) sweet potato starch noodles (glass noodles or dangmyeon)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, julienned (thin matchstick slices)
• 1 cup spinach, blanched (or use other greens like bok choy)
• 2-3 mushrooms, sliced (shiitake or button mushrooms work well)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, scrambled (optional, for garnish)

For the Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Noodles:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon) and cook according to the package instructions (usually around 7-8 minutes until soft and chewy).
• Once the noodles are cooked, drain them and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.

2. Prepare the Vegetables:

• While the noodles are cooking, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the onion, bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms. Blanch the spinach by dipping it in boiling water for about 30 seconds, then rinse under cold water. Squeeze out excess water and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar (or honey), rice vinegar, minced garlic (optional), and black pepper. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add the onion, bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp. If you are using spinach, add it last and cook just until heated through.

5. Combine the Noodles and Vegetables:

• Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables, and toss everything together to coat evenly. Stir-fry for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb the sauce and heat through.

6. Optional Scrambled Eggs:

• In a separate pan, scramble the eggs with a pinch of salt. Once cooked, slice the eggs into strips and set aside.

7. Serve:

• Transfer the japchae to a serving platter. Garnish with sesame seeds and the scrambled eggs (if using). Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

• Protein Options: You can add cooked beef (thinly sliced), chicken, or tofu for extra protein. To make the dish vegetarian, skip the meat and use more vegetables.
• Flavor Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or saltiness by adding more sugar or soy sauce, depending on your taste preferences.
• Make-Ahead: Japchae can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors often improve after a day.

Enjoy your Easy Japchae—a tasty, colorful, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any meal or gathering!