Japchae Party Glass Noodles (잡채)
Why this food?
The silky sweet potato glass noodles you've seen at every K-drama party scene. Sweet, savory, and colorful — the dish that signals celebration.
🇰🇷 K-Culture Tip
잡채 has a royal origin story — it was created in the 17th century for King Gwanghaegun by a court chef who assembled various vegetables into one dish. The king was so delighted he promoted the chef on the spot. Today japchae is mandatory at every 제사 (ancestral rite), 돌잔치 (first birthday), and Chuseok (harvest holiday) meal.
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Substitute Ingredients
All available at Walmart
| Original | Substitute |
|---|---|
Glass noodles (dangmyeon) 당면 | Sweet potato starch noodles Also labeled "cellophane noodles" or "glass noodles" Shop at Walmart |
Spinach 시금치 | Baby spinach Blanch briefly, squeeze dry before adding Shop at Walmart |
Beef strips 소고기 | Beef sirloin strips Mushrooms work as vegetarian substitute Shop at Walmart |
🛒 Can't find it at Walmart? Try a Korean grocery store
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Walmart edition
- 7 oz Sweet potato starch noodles
- 2 cups Baby spinach
- 4 oz Beef sirloin strips
Instructions
- 1
Cook glass noodles (dangmyeon) per package, drain and rinse with cold water, toss with 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2
Sauté julienned carrots, spinach, and sliced onion separately in sesame oil with garlic
- 3
Cook thin beef strips in same pan with 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sugar until caramelized
- 4
Combine noodles and all vegetables: toss with 3 tbsp soy sauce + 2 tbsp sugar + 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 5
Stir-fry over medium heat 3 minutes until glazed, garnish with sesame seeds and egg strips
