Sep 04 2026

Yachae Japchae Recipe

Time40m
Serves4

(V)

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Ingredients

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Noodles & Sauce

Method

Noodles & Sauce

  1. 1

    Cook noodles

    Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the dangmyeon (glass noodles) and cook 6–8 minutes until tender but slightly chewy, stirring occasionally so they don't stick. Drain and rinse under warm water to remove excess starch and stop cooking. Transfer to a large bowl and add 1 tablespoon sesame oil; toss to coat and prevent sticking.

  2. 2

    Make sauce

    Mince the garlic. In a small bowl combine soy sauce (4 tbs), remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, minced garlic (2 cloves), sugar (1 tsp) and black pepper (1 tsp). Stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside.

Vegetables

  1. 3

    Prep vegetables

    Julienne the carrot into matchsticks (about 1 cup). Slice mushrooms thinly (about 1 cup). Thinly slice the yellow onion (1/2 cup), red bell pepper (1/2 cup), and green onions into 1–2 inch lengths. Rinse the spinach and trim any large stems.

  2. 4

    Cook carrots and onions

    Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the carrot and sliced yellow onion. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften but retain color. Transfer to a bowl.

  3. 5

    Cook mushrooms and pepper

    Add remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the same pan. Add mushrooms and red bell pepper. Stir-fry 3–4 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and become tender. Season lightly with 1/4 tsp salt. Transfer to bowl with carrots and onions.

  4. 6

    Blanch spinach

    Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and blanch 20–30 seconds until wilted. Drain immediately and squeeze gently to remove excess water. Chop spinach coarsely and season with 1/4 tsp salt; set aside.

  5. 7

    Quick-toss green onions

    In the hot empty pan, add the sliced green onions and toss 30 seconds just to soften and release fragrance. Transfer to the vegetable bowl.

Assembly & Finish

  1. 8

    Combine noodles and vegetables

    Add the cooked noodles to the large bowl with the sauce. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and toss vigorously to coat evenly. Add the cooked carrot, onion, mushrooms, red pepper, blanched spinach and green onions to the noodles.

  2. 9

    Final stir-fry

    Heat the skillet over medium heat one more time (dry, no extra oil). Add the sauced noodle-vegetable mixture and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes to marry flavors and warm everything through, tossing constantly so nothing sticks. Taste and adjust seasoning with up to 1/2 tsp salt or a splash more soy sauce if needed.

  3. 10

    Finish and serve

    Transfer japchae to a serving platter. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds (1 tbs) over the top and drizzle a tiny additional 1/2 tsp sesame oil if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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