Quick & Easy Japchae – (sweet potato noodle)

Japchae, which translates to “mixed vegetables,” is a beloved Korean noodle dish made with sweet potato glass noodles (dangmyeon) stir-fried with colorful vegetables, meat, and a savory-sweet sauce. Today, it’s a staple at celebrations, holidays, and everyday dinners.

Today, japchae is considered a symbol of celebration. You’ll often find it at:

• Korean birthdays
• Weddings
• Ancestral rites (jesa)
• New Year’s Day (Seollal) and Harvest Festival (Chuseok) meals

Its bright colours and festive look represent harmony and prosperity.

Many people love japchae but hesitate to make it at home, thinking it’s complicated and time-consuming. Traditionally, each ingredient is cooked separately, which means more steps—and more dishes! That’s why I cooked this simplified one-pan japchae recipe. It’s faster, easier, and still packed with all the savoury, slightly sweet flavours we love. Perfect for busy weeknights or first-time Korean cooking!

kimmie

Easy Japchae Recipe

This is a simplified version of traditional japchae (잡채)—a savoury Korean dish made with sweet potato noodles, vegetables, and meat. Instead of cooking everything separately, you cook it all in one pan for a quick, easy, and delicious meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: korean

Calories: 1240

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 200 g Sweet potato noodles (dangmyeon ) 50g – one Portion
• 120 g Pork thinly sliced or ground pork
• ⅔ Onion a medium size
• ⅓ Carrot a medium carrot
• 80 g Mushrooms brown, shiitake, oyster, or king oyster mushroom
• 100 g Fresh spinach

Sauce (Mix in advance)

• 5 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1.5 tablespoons Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
• a pinch Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Toasted sesame seeds

Method

 

How to prepare the Ingredients

1. Ingredients
   
2. Onion: Slice into thin strips (julienned) from root to tip.
   
3. Carrot: Peel and julienne into matchstick-sized pieces.
   
4. Mushrooms: Thinly slice if using shiitake or king oyster; tear into strips if using oyster mushrooms.
   
5. Pork: Slice thinly against the grain into bite-sized strips (or use ground pork for convenience).
   
6. marinaded the pork for 10 mins with 1 tablespoon soy sauce , 0.5 tablespoon sugar , a pinch of black pepper and a bit of minced garlic.
   
7. Spinach: No need to cut—use whole leaves if small, or cut once across if large.

Preparing sweet potato noodle

1. In boiling water, put the noodles for 8-11 minutes until soft, then rinse with cold water and drain well.
   

Stir-fry vegetables

1. Heat a pan with a little oil and add the onion and carrot over medium-high heat, stir-frying for about 1–2 minutes, just until they begin to soften.
   
2. Then add the mushrooms and continue stir-frying for another 1–2 minutes
   
3. When the vegetables begin to soften, add the fresh spinach and stir-fry for about 30 seconds more, just until wilted.
   
4. Once cooked through, remove from the pan and set aside.

Cook the pork

1. Use the same pan, add a bit more oil in the pan and stir-fry the pork until cook through
   
2. Once cooked through, remove from the pan and set aside.

Combine and stir-fry with sauce.

1. Pour the prepared sauce into the pan over low-medium heat.
   
2. Add the boiled glass noodles.
   
3. And mix well with the sauce.
   
4. Cooked pork and the vegetables back into the pan. And stir-fry everything together for 2–3 minutes, mixing well.
   
5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Turn off the heat. Add a drizzle of sesame oil (about 0.5 tablespoon) and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
7. Serve warm or at room temperature.
   

Notes

Tips for Perfect Japchae

• Cut everything into similar thin strips so the ingredients cook evenly and mix well.
• Fresh spinach can be added raw—it cooks quickly and saves prep time.
• Use a large skillet or wok for easier tossing and stir-frying.
• If the noodles stick while stir-frying, add a splash of water or extra sesame oil.
• You can also add other vegetables ( red pepper, fish cake, beef …)

The Story Behind Japchae (잡채) – Korea’s Royal Noodle Dish

Royal Origins: A Dish Fit for a King

Japchae was first created during the Joseon Dynasty, specifically for King Gwanghaegun (reigned 1608–1623).
According to historical accounts, a court official named Yi Chung prepared a dish made with thinly sliced vegetables, mushrooms, and meat, seasoned and beautifully arranged. The king was so impressed by the dish’s taste and appearance that he rewarded Yi Chung with a high-ranking position in the palace.

Interestingly, no noodles were included in the original version. The noodles were only added later, when sweet potato starch noodles (dangmyeon) were introduced to Korea in the 20th century. These chewy, translucent noodles became a perfect match for the savoury-sweet flavours of japchae.

While the traditional version includes beef, mushrooms, spinach, and noodles, japchae is incredibly adaptable. Home cooks often adjust it with ingredients like:

• Tofu or egg for vegetarian versions
• Seafood like shrimp
• Seasonal vegetables from the garden or fridge

Its flexibility is part of why it’s remained such a beloved dish across generations.

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