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Japchae — traditional dish from Seoul, South Korea
Main course Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥300kcal
💪8gProtein
🌾55gCarbs
🥑10gFat
🌿5gFibre
⚖️200 gServing

* Per serving · 200 g. May vary.

Allergens

🫘 Soy 🌱 Sesame

Japchae

How to order / say it
Say it 잡채 — [jahp-cheh]
Order I'd like japchae, please.
Locally 잡채 주세요.
Say locally

Savory and slightly sweet stir-fried glass noodles with vegetables.

Why try it?

Japchae highlights the Korean penchant for harmonizing disparate flavors and textures, symbolizing celebration and served often during festival gatherings or special occasions.

How it tastes

Japchae is defined by its chewy glass noodles paired with the crunch of sautéed vegetables. The dish is slightly sweet and savory from soy sauce and sesame oil, with a comforting aromatic profile.

Origin & History — first documented: 1600

Japchae originated in the early 17th century for King Gwanghaegun. Originally a royal dish made with vegetables and meats, it has since evolved to use glass noodles from sweet potatoes, popularized in the 20th century.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🌾 200 g glass noodles
  • 🥕 100 g spinach
  • 🥕 50 g carrot
  • 🥕 50 g mushroom
  • 🥣 30 ml soy sauce
  • 🫒 15 ml sesame oil
  • 🍯 10 g sugar
  • 🧄 10 g garlic

Method

  1. 1 Soak glass noodles in warm water then boil until tender.
  2. 2 Sauté spinach, carrot, and mushroom in sesame oil.
  3. 3 Mix noodles with cooked vegetables, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic.
  4. 4 Stir-fry the mixture until evenly coated; garnish with sesame seeds.

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All Asia recipes — South Korea — Seoul — Japchae
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