Today, let’s learn about cooking japchae 잡채. Also known as glass noodles or Korean stir-fried noodles, japchae is loved by Koreans and people all over the world. It is a delicious and healthy dish and most often brought to potluck meals. Whether you’re a seasoned Japchae enthusiast or a newcomer to the dish, this blog will provide you with all the information you need to appreciate and enjoy this classic Korean dish. So let’s get started!
About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series
If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about japchae 잡채. Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. Time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere.
This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020, they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow KimchiRednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea.
About Japchae 잡채
Japchae 잡채 is a Korean dish that is made with sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon 당면), also known as glass noodles or cellophane noodles. When making japchae, the noodles are cooked until tender and then stir-fried with an array of vegetables such as spinach, carrots, onions, mushrooms, and often with meat such as beef or pork. Then, add a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and other seasonings to give it a delicious umami flavor.
Often served as a side dish or banchan, japchae also makes a great main dish. This is the go-to dish for special occasions, such as weddings, holidays, or even potlucks. Since it is a versatile dish that can be served hot or cold, japchae is perfect for any season.
The texture of japchae is typically soft and chewy. However, the dangmyeon 당면 (sweet potato noodles) provide a unique flavor and texture, setting it apart from other noodle dishes. In addition, the use of a colorful array of vegetables not only adds flavor but also makes it an artistically beautiful dish.
Our First Experience with Japchae
Chuck does not remember his first experience with japchae. What he remembers most about japchae is that his experiences with this dish often left him unimpressed. He had it as a side dish several times, and the noodles were way too firm for him (possibly due to being slightly al dente or overcooked).
However, my experience was much different from Chuck’s. I tried it as a banchan (side dish) shortly after arriving in Korea and really loved the noodles. (My love of sweet potatoes may be the reason!) I also enjoy bell peppers which are frequently in the dish. Therefore, japchae was a dish that I enjoyed immensely, but had never attempted to cook before.
Since japchae is such a popular dish, I knew that this was one that I would have to make at home. So, I took on the challenge hoping that maybe Chuck might be won over with good japchae.
Hurdles in Cooking Japchae
You may experience a few hurdles when making japchae 잡채 for the first time. The three main hurdles you might encounter are 1) working with dangmyeon noodles, 2) preparation of the vegetables, and 3) balancing flavors for the marinade. Let’s look at each of these hurdles and how to best prepare to tackle the challenges.
Working With Dangmyeon Noodles
If you are unfamiliar with dangmyeon noodles 당면 (sweet potato noodles), this could provide some challenges for you. Sweet potato noodles have a unique texture. Therefore, they require a bit of extra attention during the cooking process. The noodles can become mushy and lose their texture if they are overcooked. While if they are undercooked, they can be tough and chewy.
Since this dish boils the dangmyeon noodles first, presoaking is optional. Cooking the dangmyeon noodles for about 8 minutes usually provides a springy and flexible texture. After boiling the noodles, rinse them and then marinate them to prepare them for stir-frying. Please note: Dangmyeon noodles should not be cooked “al dente” (still slightly firm when eaten).
Preparing the Vegetables for Japchae
Another potential hurdle when making Japchae is the preparation of the vegetables. To give the dish a pleasing visual appearance, cut the vegetables into thin and uniform slices. This ensures that they will cook evenly and maintain their texture. However, overcooking or undercooking the vegetables can also affect the overall taste and texture of the dish.
In my research, I also discovered that there are two camps on how to prepare the vegetables for japchae properly. Traditionally, cooks stir-fry each of the vegetables separately to maintain their unique flavor profiles and vibrant colors when mixed in the final dish. Also, the vegetables typically require different cooking times for their textures. However, this method is a bit more time consuming and can feel overwhelming.
Many home cooks choose the second method of stir-frying all at one time. This method begins with the carrot, onion, pepper, and a pinch of salt, cooking the vegetables until they are soft. Next, add the mushrooms and another pinch of salt and fry until they are also soft. Then, add the spinach and stir-fry it until it wilts. Once the vegetables are cooked, remove them to a plate to cool while completing the rest of the components of the dish.
Ultimately, whether you choose to cook the vegetables separately or together is a matter of personal preference. However, both methods result in a delicious japchae dish.
Balancing Flavors of the Japchae Marinade
Finally, making the marinade for Japchae can be a bit tricky. Since it requires a balance of salty, sweet, and savory flavors, adjusting the seasoning to taste is important. In addition, when adding the marinade, even distribution provides the best flavoring for the dish.
Typically, the marinade for japchae includes soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic. Sometimes rice wine or vinegar is included. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to your taste preference. However, a good guideline is to use 1 part soy sauce, 1 part sugar, 1/2 part sesame oil, and 1/2 part vinegar or rice wine.
To balance the flavors, mix the soy sauce and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Then, add the sesame oil, garlic, and vinegar (or rice wine), and mix well. Taste the marinade and adjust the seasoning as needed. The following list will help when you decide how to change the seasonings properly:
- Too Salty: Add more sugar or water to dilute
- Too Sweet: Add more soy sauce or vinegar (rice wine)
- Too Sour: Add more sugar
- Too Savory: Add more sesame oil or garlic
Make adjustments as you go by tasting the marinade frequently. This ensures that you achieve the perfect balance of flavors. With a well-balanced marinade, your japchae will have a delicious and complex taste that will keep you coming back for more.
Three Japchae Videos to Watch
Are you ready to tackle the challenge of making japchae at home? Here are three videos to inspire you to make your own! We like to include three perspectives on any dish that we present 1) a Korean chef making the dish in Korea, 2) a Korean chef making the dish in a foreign country (provides options for substitutions), and 3) foreign residents making the dish while living in South Korea. These three perspectives provide a broader look at cooking the dish so that you can understand how to adopt it into your lifestyle.
Korean Making Japchae
Korean American Making Japchae
Americans in Korea Making Japchae
Let Us Know How It Turned Out
When you make japchae at home, be sure to leave a comment on this blog or our video. We would love to hear how your dish turned out. Also, we love to hear about your adventures and experiences cooking these dishes at home.
Follow KimchiRednecks
If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of local restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel. We also share a little behind the scenes in or our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram.
Join Pyeongtaek Food & Fun
If you live in the Pyeongtaek area, share your Korean cooking experiences with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group.
Try More Recipies in Our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series
We have many more Korean recipes that will make your life in Korea more delicious.
The KimchiRednecks channel was created in September 2018 by Chuck Whittington and Melissa Edwards-Whittington. They moved to Korea in July 2017 with their three Shih Tzu daughters, Sookie, Minion, and Mayhem.
The YouTube channel started as a way to share their lives here with their friends and families back in the states. They both have a deep love for Korean culture, people, and food and love being able to share that with others.
Chuck Whittington graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelors in Information Systems Management. He has worked in Information Technology roles for over 20 years. Chuck has always had an interest in Korea and has traveled here many times in the past.
Melissa Edwards-Whittington graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christian University with a Bachelors in Bible and a Minor in Elementary Education. She has worked in various roles in customer service and marketing over the years.
The YouTube channel has many interests just like they do because it is an extension of their lives here in Korea. You will often find videos on their channel about daily life in Korea, cooking, foodie adventures, traveling and exploring, computer and tech pursuits, gaming, and working on the Subaru BRZ.
Over the years, many of their friends have joined them for their videos and adventures because they enjoy sharing their lives with those around them. In addition, they add new interests from time to time, like making moonshine in Korea.
Life is about growing and changing, and the longer the KimchiRednecks live in Korea, the more they learn to love this country and culture and all it has to offer.