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.
The 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
This dish is vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
Cook’s 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.
What Dishes to Serve with this Recipe?
For a wholesome Korean meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
Menu and Meal Ideas
Korean Fried Chicken
Kimchi Dumplings
Korean Clam Soup
Other Recipes You Might Like
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Japchae (Chap Chae) Recipe
Japchae or chap chae is a popular Korean noodle dish made with sweet potato noodles. Learn how to make japchae at home in 30 minutes. Easy japchae recipe.
Ingredients
- 8 oz sweet potato noodles
- 4 oz 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 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. Cut the noodles using a pair of scissors into about 6-inch lengths. Set aside.
-
Heat up a pot of water and bring it to boil. Blanch the spinach until they are wilted, about 1 minute. Drain the water and rinse the spinach under cold running water. Form the spinach into a ball and squeeze it to discard the remaining water. Cut the spinach ball into half.
-
Heat up the oil in a skillet or wok and add the garlic, onion, mushroom, and carrot and 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 into the skillet or wok, follow by the sesame oil, the Sauce, and salt to taste. Stir to combine well. Dish out, sprinkle with the sesame seeds, and served at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
The japchae noodles can be found at Asian supermarkets. They are usually labelled as sweet potato noodles.
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Kevin
I love Korean food so happy to see this japchae recipe. I don’t think I can find this noodles where I am. What else can I use.
Rasa Malaysia
If you can’t find it, you can try using glass noodles, but the texture won’t be the same because glass noodles are thinner.
Pixen
Great photos. I love japchae too. Looking forward your Korean recipes.
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Pixen.
Sooyoung
I’m Korean and I must say that your japchae looks as good as the ones that we Koreans make. Good job Bee. Love your blog and your love for Asian food. :)
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Sooyoung, coming from a Korean, it means a lot. I am glad that you love my japchae recipe.
Fern
Looks beautiful…love your cooking method too :)
lingzie
yay for jap chae!! i love this dish but it can be quite pricey at the korean restaurants here, so i can’t wait to try your recipe! :)
Rasa Malaysia
Lingzie, sounds great. It’s super easy to make. Can you get the noodles in Penang?
lingzie
yep can find the japchae noodles in penang! yippee!! cant wait to make my own japchae! we’ve been getting quite a lot of korean food products on the supermarket shelves lately :)
Tastes of Home (Jen)
Japchae is one of my favourites ever! The first time I had japchae was also when I lived in San Diego and not in Malaysia :D
Rasa Malaysia
Exactly, there is none in Malaysia. ;)
noobcook
I’m recently into Korean drama and started to take an interest in korean food hehe… your japchae is beautiful ^^
sawhster
OMG! I am so excited – this is def. one of my favorites Korean dishes. I would love to see more banchan recipes as well ;)
Holly
Bee
Your japchae looks beautiful. I like how you made it in simple way. I think it will be perfect for those who wants a quick and easy method of making japchae. If I can comment one thing; Add ground black pepper at the end. Black pepper is one of the key seasoning along with soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. Look forward to seeing more of your Korean creation. Have a fun!
Ana
Do you have to use sesame oil ? Is it possible to substitute it for some other oil?
Allison
Been looking for this recipe for a while. Can’t wait to try this out!
Carla
Any recommendations for substitutions for soy sauce in recipes for people allergic to anything soy?
Michelle
You could use tamari? I haven’t used it myself, but have seen it as a substitute for soy sauce in Japanese cooking, so figure it would work here.
Kila
Tamari is also a soy product. Its soy sauce but gluten-free (and the taste is deeper to me)
Marisa
Coconut aminos. Trader Joe’s ($3) or Whole Foods ($5)
Maria
I have found Bragg’s Aminos to be a great non-soy alternative for soy sauce. You can find it in most health food stores and many supermarkets.
sawhster
Tried this today – it was pretty good. I little bit on the sweeter side, but adding a squeeze of lemon right before serving makes it perfect. Thanks for posting this!
Aneesa
May I know, what brand and type of soy sauce that you use?? I’m trying the Japchae recipe but couldn’t get the right taste for the soy sauce.
Sheen
This Japchae recipe looks simpler compared to the one I tried before. Going to try this soon! Have tried your zuchinni and shrimp stir fry. Husband loved it! Thanks!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Sheen, thanks. :)
Sarah
I finally tried making Japchae after seeing lots of K-dramas mentioning it. It was simple to make and sooooo delicious! Thank you!
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks for trying my Japchae recipe.
George
I worked with a lot of Koreans who were always friendly and eager to share their food. I love the Japchae they shared with me. The other day I found your recipe and tried it. OMG! Amazing! it came out fantastic. My only problem now is, I’m always being invited to parties because of my Japchae . My social life has improved dramatically! It’s better than having a pool. Thank you!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi George, that’s awesome, I am so happy that you love the japchae recipe and that now you are Mr. Popular. LOL. Please try out my Korean fried chicken recipe…and more: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
Shawn
This Japchae recipe turned out perfectly. I can only assume you test, test and re-test recipes before you post them. I have never gone wrong following your recipes! Thank you!
Shawn
I can only assume you test, test and re-test your recipes before posting them! This Japchae recipe is perfect! I have never gone wrong following one of your recipes
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Shawn, thanks so much for your sweet comment. I only cook my recipe once and share them, I don’t re-test. Thanks for sweet words, you have made my day. So glad you enjoy my recipes!
Ethel Gaco
Hi! Ms Rasa Malaysia
Im ethel the one who your folllower im glad to see your recipe in your blog im so blessed to learn more how to cook korean food, i love korean food so much…thank you to share your recipe..
Mark
Jap-chae is so <3 <3
when i saw it the first time i thought this dish is something salty but when the noodles touches my tongue it gone through my heart. the sweetness the texture of the noodles the tender of the beef everything it is completely delicious
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Mark, thanks for your sweet comment. I am really happy that you love my Japchae. :)
Alana
YES! I’ve been buying this dish from a Korean restaurant in London at least once a week. I even asked them about the noodles and how they cooked them because I loved them so much. Then I found them in a Korean food store directly opposite. I’m so excited that I’ve seen this recipe and I can now make my own.!!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Alana, that’s great, it’s very easy to make!
Annette
Absolutely delicious.
Cece
This was a hit! This so far -is the simplest but the best recipe I have ever tried! Thank you! I never have to order it for take out again when I can make one at home that is just as good ??
Tina
I have made this recipe multiple times. I double the recipe and sometimes add Korean style meatballs.My family of 4 loves it. Thank You!
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome thanks Tina for trying my Japchae recipe!
Ellen Scott
I love japchae noodles too, it is really wonderful! But why I can not read your recipe, i dont see it appear in this post.
Rasa Malaysia
Ellen, my recipe is where it says GET RECIPE. Tab or click on that and the recipe is there.
Jennifer
Hi there, this was a very simple recipe. Thank you so much for sharing. I substituted the sugar with a little oyster sauce. Using tongs made it easier to toss as well:)
Jso
Hello,
I’ve made this recipe before and specifically remember the sauce ingredients use to include oigatsuo tsuyu soup base to add depth of sweetness. Now it’s only soy sauce and sugar??? What happened?
Rasa Malaysia
I have two recipes. You can use oigatsuo tsuyu to add flavors. Most people don’t have tsuyu so I simplified to soy sauce and sugar.