Japchae: Korean Stir Fried Noodles! Here is a faster spin on one of my favorite Korean dishes. My method is a little different but you still end up with some delicious Japchae! I hope you give this recipe a try!
The month of January has been a blur. I can’t believe it has already come and gone. We’ve been so busy and now, we’re heading into Girl Scout cookie sales, Valentine’s Day and Spring Break.
The weather here is getting warmer but it’s still cold. When it’s cold, I just want to curl up on the couch and eat. But I can’t do that. That wouldn’t be productive and I wouldn’t get any work done. So, I’ve been cooking. A lot. I’ve been craving, cooking and eating a lot of comfort food.
For me, comfort food is like mac and cheese and soups and foods that remind me of my childhood. My childhood was filled with all sorts of delicious Korean food and Japchae was one of my favorites.
Whether you’re keeping it vegetarian or cooking with bulgogi, or adding some spice, this dish is versatile and delicious in so many ways. And it’s packed with veggies and my favorite sweet potato glass noodles! As a kid, Japchae was always a side dish. A side dish to kalbi or bulgogi or something else on the table. Because I pack so much into it, including bulgogi, we enjoy this as a main dish. I hope you give this recipe a try!
Japchae Recipe Video
Watch this quick recipe video to learn how easy it is to make Japchae!
Best Korean Bulgogi Meat Marinade
For the bulgogi marinade recipe, click here. If you don’t have the time to make the marinade, just marinate your beef in some soy sauce and sesame oil.
I always like to marinate the meat overnight, but if that’s not possible, marinate for at least one hour. Marinating the meat just makes it taste so much better.
Other Korean Noodle Dishes to Make:
If you enjoy the Japchae recipe, you should make these other Korean dinner recipes too!
Japchae: Korean Stir Fried Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 oz. mung bean or sweet potato noodles might be called cellophane or glass noodles or Chinese vermicelli; can be found at any Asian/Korean grocery store
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil divided + more if needed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion peeled and sliced into thin strips
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic finely chopped or minced
- 6 oz. marinated beef or Korean bulgogi *
- 3 medium carrots julienned
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 orange bell pepper sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips
- 1/2 pound spinach
- 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce plus a little more, if needed
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 green onions finely diced
- toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the sweet potato noodles in boiling water for about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and place into a bowl and set aside. Lightly drizzle a tablespoon of sesame oil over the noodles so they do not stick.
- Using a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add the onion slices and garlic and sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the bulgogi and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add the carrots and bell peppers and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes or, until the vegetables are beginning to soften. Add in the spinach and toss with the vegetables until slightly wilted and softened.
- Turn the heat off and remove the pan or wok from the heat. Add the cooked noodles, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar. Toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust/add seasonings if needed. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken, strips of egg, or fried tofu pieces are also great protein additions in this in place of the bulgogi. PREP time includes time to marinate the beef.
- For the bulgogi marinade recipe, click here.
To watch me make Japchae the more traditional way, click here to see my IGTV.
