잡채 · Japchae

Japchae

잡채

What exactly is it?

Glass noodles are mixed with separately cooked vegetables, mushrooms and meat, then seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The translucent noodles are starch-based rather than ordinary wheat strands. Sweet-savory japchae can be served warm or cooled.

Main ingredients

Glass noodles, spinach, carrot, onion, mushrooms, beef, soy sauce, sesame oil

Ordering and serving

Share a plate or eat a small portion as a side dish. A vegetable-rich serving may still contain beef. Japchae bap is a separate meal with japchae over rice.

Origins and changes

Older japchae mixed assorted vegetables rather than centering on glass noodles. Cookbooks from the 1930s and 1940s document versions using dangmyeon. The familiar noodle-heavy preparation reflects the spread of starch noodles.

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Japchae

잡채

Main ingredients: Glass noodles, spinach, carrot, onion, mushrooms, beef, soy sauce, sesame oil
Flavor and character: Glass noodles are mixed with separately cooked vegetables, mushrooms and meat, then seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil. The translucent noodles are starch-based rather than ordinary wheat strands. Sweet-savory japchae can be served warm or cooled.
How to eat it: Share a plate or eat a small portion as a side dish. A vegetable-rich serving may still contain beef. Japchae bap is a separate meal with japchae over rice.

Read about this dish →

Seasoned spinach

시금치나물

Main ingredients: Blanched spinach, salt or soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, optional garlic
Flavor and character: Spinach is blanched, squeezed and seasoned with oil and salt or soy sauce. Soft leaves and lightly springy stems differ from a raw salad. Sesame aroma makes it a rice side or the green component of bibimbap.
How to eat it: It is already seasoned and needs no extra dressing. Garlic-free ceremonial or temple preparations exist, but recipes vary; ask about ingredients for a specific diet.

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