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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. 

You can also make Spicy Korean Noodles if you like a little kick in your dish!

Japchae in a pan

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. 

Ingredients in plates for japchae noodles

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

Japchae in a pan

Korean Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Noodles Recipe

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Servings
20 Servings
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr
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. 

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients for the recipe.
    Ingredients on the table including; an onion, garlic, 3 carrots, green onions, spinach in a bowl, beef in a glass container, and sweet potato noodle
  • Prepare the ingredients for the sauce.
    Brown sugar in a bowl, salt, soy sauce and sesame oil
  • Bring water to a boil, add a bit of oil. Add noodles and cook them for 5-6 minutes. Drain when cooked.
    Sweet Potato Noodles in a pot with water on the stove top
  • 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.
    Beef on a skillet
  • Place noodles in a large bowl, top them with cooked beef.
    Beef being placed into a bowl with the sweet potato noodles
  • Dice onion into long strips. Cut carrots into strips and chop green onion. Preheat an oiled skilled and toss in the carrots and onion.
    Carrots and onions in a pot
  • When the veggies soften up, add in the remaining half portions of the following – soy sauce, sesame oil and brown sugar. Add in pressed garlic, green onions and cook for a few minutes until it's softened.
    Pot with green onions, yellow onions and carrots having garlic minced into it
  • Add diced spinach into the mixture and turn off the heat imminently.
    Spinach being added into the pot with sautéing veggies
  • Add all vegetables to the noodles and toss everything together.
    Korean Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Noodles in a large bowl
  • Serve while it's still warm. This dish also reheats well.
    Japchae in a pan
Nutrition Facts
Korean Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Noodles Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 348mg15%
Potassium 241mg7%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 2590IU52%
Vitamin C 4.5mg5%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted July 24, 2019

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.