Japchae
Korean glass noodles stir-fried with beef, spinach, mushrooms, and colorful vegetables in a sweet and savory soy sesame sauce.
By Theo Brandt, Test Kitchen Lead & Cheese Specialist
Published August 13, 2025
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Medium
Japchae is a Korean celebration dish, served at holidays and birthdays, and it is just as welcome on a weeknight table. Chewy, translucent sweet potato starch noodles are tossed with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a little sugar, then mixed with a rainbow of separately cooked vegetables and marinated beef.
Cooking each vegetable on its own sounds fussy, but it only takes a few minutes per batch in the same pan, and it keeps every color and texture distinct. A thin egg omelet sliced into ribbons makes a pretty traditional garnish.
Japchae is delicious warm or at room temperature, which makes it perfect for potlucks. Serve it as a side with Korean barbecue or as a light main.
- Chewy glass noodles
- Colorful Korean celebration dish
- Great warm or room temp
Ingredients
Directions
Toss the beef with 1 tbsp of the soy sauce, 1 tsp of the sugar, 1 tsp of the sesame oil, half the garlic, and a pinch of pepper. Let it marinate while you prep the vegetables.
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