Japchae: A Traditional Korean Delight

Recipe by Shion Maggio

Japchae is a beloved Korean dish made by stir-frying a mix of vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, and often beef, then tossing everything together with sweet potato glass noodles. For many Koreans, this dish brings back fond childhood memories as it’s a staple at celebrations like birthdays. Though it's typically considered a side dish, Japchae is quite filling and can easily be enjoyed as a main course!

One of the great things about this recipe is its flexibility – aside from the sweet potato noodles, which are a must, you can swap out or omit veggies and protein depending on what you have on hand. 

This dish pairs wonderfully with our zesty Seoul Breeze 🍋.



Since the sweet potato noodles and sauce in this recipe contain no animal products, you can easily make a vegetarian or vegan version by omitting the egg and meat!

Japchae Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients


For the Sauce

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.

2. Slice the Ingredients: Cut the meat and/or fish cakes, mushrooms, spring onions, carrot, onion, and bell pepper into thin strips (about 2-3mm wide and 6-8mm long).

3. Cook the Egg: Beat the egg with a pinch of salt, then pour it into a small non-stick pan with a bit of oil. Cook it over medium heat, covered, until it sets into a flat pancake. Once cooled, cut the egg into strips.

4. Prepare the Greens: Blanch the spinach for 30 seconds in boiling water, then rinse under cold water. Cook the green beans for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp.

5. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In a pan, sauté the carrots and onions in a bit of oil until the onions turn translucent. Add the remaining vegetables, mushrooms, protein, and half of the sauce. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the meat is cooked through.


6. Cook the Noodles: Soak the Dangmyeon noodles in plenty of water for 2-3 hours, then boil them for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and cut into bite-sized pieces using kitchen scissors ✂️ – a common practice in Korea!

7. Combine and Serve: In a large bowl, mix the noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and the remaining sauce thoroughly. Serve warm and enjoy!

Bon appétit!