Korean Japchae (Sweet Potato Noodle Stir-Fry) Recipe
Japchae is a classic Korean stir-fried noodle dish featuring chewy sweet potato glass noodles, tender marinated beef, and a colorful mix of sautéed vegetables, all coated in a savory-sweet soy and sesame oil sauce. It’s a delicious, vibrant meal that can easily be customized with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Gluten Free
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
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 lb spinach leaves
Oils & Sauces
- 4 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Sweeteners
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Bring water to a boil in a large pot with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Add the Korean sweet potato noodles and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain the noodles well and set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat a skillet over high heat and add the thin-sliced beef. Season with half of the soy sauce, half of the sesame oil, and half of the brown sugar while cooking. Stir-fry the beef until it is browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In another skillet, heat the remaining olive oil. Add the julienned carrots and sliced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then add the remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar, stirring to coat the vegetables. Add minced garlic and chopped green onions, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook spinach: Add the spinach leaves and stir until wilted completely. This will take about 1-2 minutes.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, sautéed vegetables, and cooked beef. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the noodles are evenly coated with sauce and the ingredients are well mixed.
- Serve: Serve the Japchae warm, optionally garnished with extra chopped green onions for freshness and color.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari.
- Protein can be varied by using chicken, tofu, or shrimp instead of beef.
- Make sure not to overcook the noodles; they should remain slightly chewy for authentic texture.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness by varying the amount of brown sugar and soy sauce to your taste.
- Vegetables can be customized with additions like mushrooms or bell peppers if desired.
Keywords: Japchae, Korean noodles, sweet potato noodles, stir-fry, beef japchae, gluten free korean recipe, healthy korean dish, glass noodles recipe
