Japchae (Korean Stir-Fried Glass Noodles with Beef and Vegetables) Recipe
Japchae is a classic Korean dish made with tender beef, sweet potato glass noodles, and a colorful medley of vegetables stir-fried in a savory-sweet sauce. This flavorful and nutritious recipe features thinly sliced beef, carrots, spinach, onions, and green onions, all tossed with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Japchae is perfect as a main dish or side and can easily be adapted with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for protein variations.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 lb thin-sliced beef (or substitute with chicken, tofu, or shrimp)
Noodles
- 1 lb Korean sweet potato noodles (glass noodles)
Vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, julienned
- 1 large white onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped
- 1/2 lb spinach leaves
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
Oils and Sauces
- 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: Soak the sweet potato noodles in warm water for about 30 minutes until they soften. Then, drain and boil them in water for 5-7 minutes or until tender but slightly chewy. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then set aside.
- Cook the Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced beef and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add olive oil and half of the minced garlic. Sauté the onions and carrots for about 3-4 minutes until slightly softened. Add spinach and green onions, cooking for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the drained noodles, soy sauce, brown sugar, remaining sesame oil, and remaining garlic. Toss everything together over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes to ensure the sauce coats all ingredients well.
- Adjust Flavor and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with more soy sauce or sugar. Remove from heat and serve warm as a main dish or side.
Notes
- You can substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp depending on your preference.
- For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Make sure not to overcook the sweet potato noodles to keep their chewy texture.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it great for picnics or packed lunches.
Keywords: Japchae, Korean sweet potato noodles, Korean glass noodles recipe, stir-fry Japchae, Korean beef noodle stir-fry, Korean vegetable stir-fry