Description
Japchae is a beloved Korean dish made with chewy sweet potato noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and tender marinated beef, all tossed in a deliciously savory-sweet sesame soy sauce. This easy version brings all the authentic flavors with a simpler, more accessible method. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead lunches, this colorful and flavorful dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
6 oz sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon)
6 oz beef (ribeye or sirloin), thinly sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce (plus more to taste)
2 tsp sesame oil (plus more for noodles)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp sugar
1 small carrot, julienned
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups spinach
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 green onions, sliced
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp neutral oil (for stir-frying)
Instructions
1. Soak sweet potato noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, or boil for 6–7 minutes until soft. Drain and rinse with cold water. Toss with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking.
2. In a bowl, mix beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1/2 tbsp sugar. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes.
3. Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds. Rinse under cold water and squeeze dry.
4. Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a skillet and stir-fry onion, carrot, bell pepper, and green onions one at a time, seasoning lightly with soy sauce. Set aside.
5. In the same skillet, cook marinated beef until browned and cooked through, about 2–3 minutes. Set aside.
6. In a large bowl or skillet, combine noodles, vegetables, spinach, and beef. Add remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and sugar. Toss or stir-fry everything for 2–3 minutes until well mixed and heated.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
Notes
Enjoy hot or cold. You can customize it with tofu or more vegetables for a meat-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Japchae, Korean noodles, sweet potato noodles, easy japchae, japchae recipe