The first time I tried the Korean Stir-Fried Glass Noodles a.k.a Japchae was when my manager brought the dish in for a potluck a few years ago. It was literally one of The Best things I’ve tried, made me go back for refills.
This recipe serves 20 people easily and can be scaled up to serve even more. If you are having a potluck at work or attending a family party, this dish is easy to transport and reheat. Plus, you will be sure to impress your friends and family by opening them up to a dish they probably haven’t tried, but will soon grow to love.
If you are feeling nervous about cooking Korean cuisine, don’t be! I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became comfortable cooking Japchae. This dish is a great starting point for cooking outside your comfort zone.
What is Japchae?
Simply put, Japchae is the Korean version of Chinese Chow-Mein (which you probably already love). The main difference is that Japchae uses sweet potato glass noodles. This noodle dish offers a sweet and savory flavor experience that will make your tastebuds sing!
Ingredients You Need to Prepare Japchae
Traditional Japchae requires thin-sliced pieces of beef. At most Korean supermarkets, you can find this style of beef pre-cut in the butcher section. If you can’t find it, grab some sirloin from the store and slice it yourself. Japchae also incorporates a heft serving of veggies. I like to use carrots, onions, spinach and green onions, but feel free to add in some mushrooms if you like. If you don’t already have sesame oil and soy sauce on hand, you will need that to create the delicious sauce that brings the dish together.
What are Korean Noodles?
Korean sweet potato glass noodles have an excellent texture and offer a hint of sweetness. They are made using only sweet potato starch and water. When cooked, they turn a beautiful glass noodles.
How do You Cook Korean Glass Noodles?
Despite their delicate nature, these glass noodles are quite easy to cook. Bring a pot of water to boil, add some olive oil to the water and cook the noodles for 5-6 minutes. The oil will prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Where to Buy Korean Glass Noodles
Korean style sweet potato noodles are also referred to as starch noodles or Korean vermicelli. Venture into an Asian store to find them readily available and cheap. Or, order them on Amazon. Try this brand or this brand.
Calories in a Serving of Japchae
One serving of Japchae clocks in at under 250 calories, which makes it a great side dish. Double-up the serving to make it a low-calorie meal.
Bonus: Sweet potato glass noodles are low-carb and gluten free! If you have a gluten allergy, substitute your soy sauce for a gluten free variety.
Hacks for Cooking Japchae
- Are your noodles still sticking together after cooking? Run some cool water over the noodles in a colander to loosen them up.
- Try swapping the beef for chicken or shrimp.
- Like it spicy? Serve the noodles with a side of Gochujang, a Korean style fermented hot sauce that has a sweet and spicy flavor. Look for it in the Asian supermarket or order it on Amazon.
- Try serving Japchae with kimchi, a fermented cabbage side dish that Koreans love and serve with almost every meal. You can also find kimchi in the asian supermarket. However, most American supermarkets have caught on to the trend of kimchi and sell it in the produce aisle.
Other Asian Recipes to Try
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lb Beef
- 1 lb Sweet Potato Noodles
- 3 medium Carrots
- 1 white Onion
- 1/2 bn Green Onions
- 6 Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 lb Spinach
- 4 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 6 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients for the recipe.
- Prepare the ingredients for the sauce.
- Bring water to a boil, add a bit of oil. Add noodles and cook them for 5-6 minutes. Drain when cooked.
- Preheat skilled to high heat. Cook the pre-sliced beef until it's golden brown. Season beef with half portions of the following – soy sauce, sesame oil and brown sugar, while it's cooking.
- Place noodles in a large bowl, top them with cooked beef.
- Dice onion into long strips. Cut carrots into strips and chop green onion. Preheat an oiled skilled and toss in the carrots and onion.
- When the veggies soften up, add in the remaining half portions of the following – soy sauce, sesame oil and brown sugar. Add in green onions and cook for a few minutes until it's softened.
- Add diced spinach into the mixture and turn off the heat imminently.
- Add all vegetables to the noodles and toss everything together.
- Serve while it's still warm. This dish also reheats well.
My meat seemed too hard..I used flank steak and I felt like I was chewing gum. Is there a reason for that?? Also, the noodles seemed very plain and my husband thought there wasn’t enough “sauce” in the dish. What am I doing wrong??
I am going to list everything I can think of on here 🙂 I am sorry the dish didn't turn out the way you wanted it to. With the meat, it sounds like you didn't cut it thin enough. It should be chewy unless it's thick or overcooked. Flank is a great cut for this dish. You are always welcome to add more or less of certain ingredients in the sauce. It is a good idea to taste it before to serve it and add more of what you believe is missing. Also, are you buying good quality products for the sauce?
does this recipe not require salt and pepper at all?
No, you can add if you feel like you need it. But the sauce has plenty of flavors.
Just made this stir fry! It turned out delicious! Going to be making this again real soon
Yelena, thank you for sharing such an awesome feedback! I am happy you loved it
This looks soo good, which stores sell sweet potatoes noodles?
Any Asian store would have noodles, also amazon.
This recipe is one my favorites! So glad I found it on your blog! Thank you so much!
I am so happy you love this recipe! Sweet potato noodles definitely make it a bomb dish!
Do you cut the noodles a little? Cause I didn't and it was so hard to mix everything together.
Usually I dont cut them but if you wish to, you can.
How thick do you cut the beef?
Into thin strips. They turn out the best this way.
Made it and it turned out wonderful ! Thanks for this great recipe !
I am so happy to hear. 🙂
When do you add the garlic into the recipe? Thanks!
Right before spinach, its in the image but forgot to write it in 🙂
Are sweet potato noodles similar too rice noodles?
They are different in texture. They are different.
wow, you have a stove top... love it
Yes I do. Pretty convenient 🙂
Warm, not worm.
Steak, not stake.
Overall, the dish looks delicious. Nice to have you back with new and quick recipe. Let us know how your Whole 30 challenge go please....
Olga thanks 🙂 lol... I appreciate the tips.
I plan on doing whole30 post this month. Keep an eye out.
Looks delicious 😋 Can I ask what part of beef did you use in recipe?
I used New York stake. Any cut would work, just slice it very thin.