Glossy sweet potato noodles weave through mushrooms, spinach and carrot, dressed with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.
Springy noodles give Japchae a texture wheat pasta cannot match. Cooking the vegetables in stages keeps the spinach green, the carrots a little firm and the mushrooms browned rather than steamed.
Look for Korean sweet potato glass noodles, often labeled dangmyeon. Cut the cooked strands with kitchen scissors before tossing so the vegetables distribute evenly through the bowl.
Method
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil sweet potato glass noodles for , or the package time, until flexible and chewy with no hard core. Drain, rinse briefly and snip the strands shorter.
Mix soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and garlic in a large bowl. Toss the drained noodles with half the dressing.
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms for until browned; transfer to the noodles.
Add the remaining oil, onion and carrot. Cook for until crisp-tender, then add baby spinach and cook for until wilted.
Toss the vegetables, noodles, remaining dressing and sesame seeds until evenly coated. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Forkue tips
- Drain the noodles thoroughly so rinse water does not dilute the sesame dressing.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate for 3 days. Warm gently in a skillet with a tablespoon of water, tossing until the noodles soften and separate again.
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Nutrition per serving, estimated
Japchae: FAQ
Can I use rice noodles?
They make a different noodle salad. Sweet potato starch noodles provide the transparent, elastic texture that defines this preparation.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Keep it refrigerated, then warm just enough to loosen the noodles before tossing again; cold sesame oil can make them cling.
How do I store and reheat Japchae?
Refrigerate for 3 days. Warm gently in a skillet with a tablespoon of water, tossing until the noodles soften and separate again.
How long does Japchae take?
About 45 min in total: 25 min prep and 20 min cooking.
What do I need to make Japchae?
The key ingredients are sweet potato glass noodles, shiitake mushrooms, baby spinach, carrot, onion and soy sauce, plus pantry basics.
Any tips for Japchae?
Drain the noodles thoroughly so rinse water does not dilute the sesame dressing.
