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    Home » Sides

    Published: Mar 20, 2017 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    Japchae | Korean Stir-Fry Noodles

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A flavorful and glossy stir-fry made from sweet potato noodles, vegetables and tofu; Japchae is a delicious recipe.

    This Korean recipe is a perfect Banchan for any soup or main course. Or enjoy it as a complete meal!

    Asian cuisine has a ton of noodle recipes. The noodles in the recipes vary from super thin to round and from flat thin noodles to the super thick ones. Plus, every noodle is made from a different ingredient. From oats, brown rice and quinoa to chickpeas, sweet potato and rice. 


    I have tried most of these noodles and they all have a special flavor that is perfect for a different dish. Some noodles are specific to a cuisine; like rice noodles for Pad Thai, Flat noodles for Malaysian, Thick ones for Udon recipes and Ramen for Soups. 


    My pantry is filled with all the different types of noodles, given our love for Asian cuisine. We make it all at home and LOVE it too much. Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cooking was always a star in the house, now Korean has been added too. Recently we got two clay pots to make Ramen noodle soup. We had it a couple of times, though I still have not shot them. 


    For those who are aware, Korean places generally serve their Ramen Soup with an array of sides. A local joint here has the following: brown/pink rice, sweet potato fry, seaweed salad, a glass noodle stir fry and kimchi. So the day I made the Ramen Soup, I HAD to make this Glass Noodle dish called Japchae. It was made as a side and we loved it so much, that I made it as a main dish this weekend. So I shot it too, and included it this week for the theme Quick and Delicious Stir-Fries. 

     



    What is Japchae?



    Sweet Potato Noodles are really popular in Korean Cuisine. A simple Stir-Fry made from these noodles and vegetables and protein is called Japchae. The dish is super flavorful and generally has peppers, carrots, mushrooms and onions. As a protein, the vegetarian versions generally have tofu. The most attractive part of the noodles is that they turn translucent on cooking. The result is a beautiful noodle dish, slightly tinted with the Soy Sauce. Sometimes also referred to as Cellophane Noodles, in my opinion a stir-fry with them is essentially a Salad :p Given that the noodles are just sweet potato starch and the add-ins being vegetable, protein and sauces. 





    To make Japchae



    The noodles packet is pretty big and the noodles generally come all tangled. I read a TON of recipes on different websites to make them. Some recipes said that the noodles need to be soaked in cold water to separate the noodles. A few other recipes said you can boil them directly and cut them using kitchen scissors once the noodles cook. 


    I found that method easier, so followed that. The result was perfectly separate noodles that cooked really well. I added vegetables and tofu in the noodles. I had a lot of bean sprouts and they tasted perfect in the dish. Though I added them and the vegetables as mentioned below, you can substitute with vegetables of your choice. 


    I made an eggless version of Japchae, but adding fried eggs cut into strips is common. You can add a protein of your choice; from chicken to tofu! Just add whatever you have in your refrigerator and whip up a yummy dish. 

     



    Method


    In  large pan heat 6-7 cups of water. Once it boils, add the noodles.

    Cook for 5-6 minutes till soft. Using clean kitchen scissors, cut the noodles to smaller pieces.
    In about 8 minutes, the noodles will be cooked. Remove and drain completely.

    Add some soy sauce and toss to ensure the noodles do not stick. 
    Heat the oil or chilli oil in a wok.

    Add garlic and saute till brown.

    Then add spring onion whites, peppers and sauté for a minute.

    Add broccoli and carrots and cook for a few minutes, till tender.

    Finally add bok choy and cook till it is wilted. 


    Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Also add Soy Sauce and Vinegar.

    Add the cooked noodles and toss well. Cook for a minute and turn down the flame. 
    Add bean sprouts and spring onion greens. Mix well.

    Sprinkle sesame seeds and serve immediately. 

     

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    Tag me on Instagram @herbivorecucina or mention #herbivorecucina so I can enjoy them virtually with you! You can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below & if you REALLY like it, consider a review in the comments whilst you are there, thanks!

    A black bowl filled with japchae; a potato noodle stir-fry with vegetables and simple seasonings.

    Japchae | Korean Stir-Fry Noodles

    Smruti
    A flavorful and glossy stir-fry made from sweet potato noodles, vegetables and tofu; Japchae is a delicious recipe.
    This Korean recipe is a perfect Banchan for any soup or main course. Or enjoy it as a complete meal!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Asian, Korean
    Servings 6
    Calories 229 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 oz Korean Sweet Potato Noodles
    • 7 oz Firm Tofu (sliced)
    • 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
    • 5-6 stalks Spring Onion (chopped)
    • 1 medium Red Pepper (sliced)
    • 1 medium Green Pepper (sliced)
    • 1 medium Carrot (julienned)
    • 5-6 stalks Bok Choy (separated)
    • 4-5 florets Broccoli
    • ½ cup Bean Sprouts
    • 1½ teaspoon Soy Sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Vinegar
    • 1½ teaspoon Sesame Seeds
    • 1½ teaspoon Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Pepper
    • 6 cups Water

    Instructions
     

    • In  large pan heat 6-7 cups of water. Once it boils, add the noodles.
      10 oz Korean Sweet Potato Noodles, 6 cups Water
    • Cook for 5-6 minutes till soft. Using clean kitchen scissors, cut the noodles to smaller pieces.
    • In about 8 minutes, the noodles will be cooked. Remove and drain completely.
    • Add some soy sauce and toss to ensure the noodles do not stick.
      1½ teaspoon Soy Sauce
    • Heat the oil in a wok.
      1½ teaspoon Oil
    • Add garlic and saute till brown.
      2 cloves Garlic
    • Then add spring onion whites, peppers and sauté for a minute.
      5-6 stalks Spring Onion, 1 medium Red Pepper, 1 medium Green Pepper
    • Add broccoli, tofu and carrots and cook for a few minutes, till tender.
      7 oz Firm Tofu, 1 medium Carrot, 4-5 florets Broccoli
    • Finally add bok choy and cook till it is wilted.
      5-6 stalks Bok Choy
    • Season with salt and ground pepper. Also add Soy Sauce and Vinegar.
      1 teaspoon Vinegar, ½ teaspoon Ground Pepper, 1 teaspoon Salt
    • Add the cooked noodles and toss well. Cook for a minute and turn down the flame.
    • Add bean sprouts and spring onion greens. Mix well.
      ½ cup Bean Sprouts
    • Sprinkle sesame seeds and serve immediately.
      1½ teaspoon Sesame Seeds

    Notes

    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 4gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.003gSodium: 508mgPotassium: 198mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3021IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Srivalli says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Those noodles are looking so good and inviting..never made a stir fry with noodles, sounds interesting..

      Reply
    2. Chef Mireille says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Jap chae noodles are one of my fave ingredients I always get when I go to chinatown - and this is one of my fave dishes. Great post!

      Reply
    3. Sarita says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Nice yummy Noodles.

      Reply
    4. Harini R says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Wow! those noodles look stunning.

      Reply
    5. Priya Suresh says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Omg, this is super stunning noodles, feel like grabbing a bowl and finishing rite now. Fantastic dish.

      Reply
    6. MySpicyKitchen says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      This is one of our favorites and almost always order it whenever we eat out at a Korean restaurant. Looks delicious and well captured

      Reply
    7. Srividhya says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Wow that looks amazing and love your detailed write up. Which korean joint you goto??

      Reply
    8. Pavani says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Love this colorful and flavorful Korean noodles. Looks amazing.

      Reply
    9. Sowmya :) says

      March 10, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      Never heard of sweet potato noodles. It looks awesome! Love your pics

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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