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Japchae - Korean noodle dish with sweet potato noodles and vegetables. Learn how to make Japchae in 30 minutes with this easy Japchae recipe.
Authentic Japchae Recipe
Japchae (also spelled as chap chae) is my favorite Korean noodle dish. I love Korean recipes, they are healthy, spicy and absolutely delicious.
In this recipe, you will learn how to make authentic and simple Japchae.
Ingredients For Japchae Noodles
I love the springy and chewy texture of Japchae noodles, which are made from sweet potato starch.
- Sweet potato noodles
- Vegetables such as spinach, carrots and scallions
- Mushrooms such as shiitake mushrooms
- Seasonings such as soy sauce and sugar
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
This dish is vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
Cooking Tips
How long do you soak the sweet potato noodles before cooking? Many readers ask me this question. Here are my tips:
- Sweet potato noodles are fatter and tougher, so soaking in water won’t get you the desired results. I always boil the noodles in hot boiling water for 5 minutes, drain and cut into shorter lengths.
- Traditionally, the noodles are mixed together with the other ingredients by hand. For ease of cooking, I always make the noodles in a skillet.
- For extra flavors, you can add beef bulgogi or Korean fish cakes to the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 396 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Japchae
Served this recipe with a side dish of Korean soy sauce eggs (Mayak eggs) or Seaweed Salad for that added punch of flavor or a main dish (such as Spicy Korean Chicken). For a wholesome Korean meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Japchae (Chap Chae)
Ingredients
- 8 oz (230g) sweet potato noodles
- 4 oz. (125g) spinach
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
- 3-4 fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small carrot, cut into thin strips
- 1 stalk scallion, cut into 1-inch (2.5cm) lengths
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- salt , to taste
- 1 teaspoon toasted white sesame
Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Cook the sweet potato noodles in a large pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes. Drain the water and rinse the noodles under cold running water. Use a pair of scissors to cut the noodles into about 6-inch lengths. Set aside.
- Heat a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Blanch the spinach until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain the water and rinse the spinach under cold running water. Form the spinach into a ball and squeeze out the remaining water. Cut the spinach ball in half.
- Heat the oil in a skillet or wok and add the garlic, onion, mushroom, and carrot. Cook for about two minutes. Add the scallion and stir-fry for another minute.
- Turn the heat to low and add the noodles and spinach to the skillet or wok, followed by the sesame oil, sauce, and salt to taste. Stir to combine well. Dish out, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve at room temperature.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it ok to use toasted sesame oil? I can’t find any sesame oil that isn’t toasted.
Hi Amy. The recipe uses toasted sesame oil. In east Asian recipes, we use only toasted sesame oil. Happy cooking!
Can this be kept in the fridge and reheated the next day?
Yes, it can last 1-2 days and then reheated in a skillet.
if i cannot find the sweet potato noodles , what’s a good alternative ?
You can try any noodles you like.
I’ve had Japchae several times, both at a nearby Korean mart and at a chain that uses it as a base in a bowl, and love it. I was able to buy the noodles from the neighborhood mart and plan to make them today.
However, I don’t understand the treatment of the spinach in the directions. I have stir-fried spinach with good results and it seems like that would produce a more flavorful result. So that is what I plan to do. If there is a reason to not do this, I guess I will find out.
You can stir fry the spinach. I am just doing it the traditional ways.
Do you recommend a brand of sweet potato noodles?
No, any brands should be fine.
I forgot to mention, I used flax seeds instead of sesame seeds.
This recipe is a keeper. I have made it at least a dozen time already and my family still continues to ask for it. Big thumbs up!