비빔국수 Bibimguksu
Thin wheat noodles served cold in a sweet and sour chili paste sauce, mixed before eating.
Spice: Medium
Myeon (noodles)
잡채 Japchae
Glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables, often with beef, in soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Stir-fried Glass Noodles and Vegetables
- Spice: Not spicy
- Vegetarian option
- Contains beef
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Glass noodles (dangmyeon), beef, spinach, carrot, mushrooms |
| How it's served | Warm or at room temperature on a shared plate, or as a small side dish |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option · Contains beef — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Soy · Wheat · Sesame |
| Ask about | Egg strips and mushrooms are common; some versions add fish cake or shrimp. |
| On the menu | 잡채 (Japchae) |
| Also called | chapchae · jabchae · glass noodles |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Stir-fried Glass Noodles and Vegetables
Share it from the plate
Japchae is usually set in the middle of the table. Pick up a small bunch with your chopsticks.
Bite through the long noodles
Glass noodles are long and slippery. Lift a little at a time and bite them off.
Eat it with rice or on its own
It goes well with rice as a side dish. It is also eaten by itself.
How to order it
Order it as 잡채. It usually comes as a plate to share, and some restaurants serve a little as a free side dish.
- On the menu: 잡채
- Usually sold: 1 plate, best shared by two or more
Where it comes from
In one of Korea's oldest cookbooks, japchae was strips of vegetables, mushrooms and pheasant, each stir-fried, with a thick sauce poured over. It had no glass noodles. Japchae today uses plenty of glass noodles, but that was not its original form. It is a fixture at feasts.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
잔치국수 Janchiguksu
Thin wheat noodles in a light, hot anchovy broth, topped with vegetables and egg strips, eaten as a quick meal.
Spice: Not spicy
짜장면 Jjajangmyeon
A Korean-Chinese dish of thick wheat noodles topped with a black bean sauce of pork and onion, mixed before eating.
Spice: Not spicy
Questions about Stir-fried Glass Noodles and Vegetables
Is japchae vegetarian?
Sometimes. Many versions include strips of beef or pork, but meat-free versions are also commonly served. If you avoid meat, ask the restaurant.
Is japchae spicy?
Not spicy. It is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil and a little sugar, so it tastes savory and slightly sweet.
What are the noodles in japchae made of?
Sweet potato starch. They turn clear and chewy when cooked, which is why they are called glass noodles.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026