Japchae

Side dishes

• Soybean (대두)Usually in itOnly this one→

  Soy sauce is the main seasoning and is tossed through the noodles with everything else, so it coats every strand.

• Sesame (참깨)Usually in itOnly this one→

  Sesame oil is the second of the two core seasonings next to soy sauce, and toasted sesame seeds go on top as the finishing garnish.

• Garlic (마늘)Usually in itOnly this one→

  Chopped garlic goes into the soy seasoning along with sugar, so it is mixed through the noodles rather than served on the side.

• Beef (쇠고기)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Thin strips of beef are the usual meat, stir-fried and tossed in with the noodles, though pork is used in some kitchens.

• Pork (돼지고기)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Pork is the other meat named for japchae, cut into the same thin strips, so the meat can be hard to tell apart once it is mixed in.

• Onion (양파)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Onion is one of the vegetables stir-fried and mixed in with the noodles, alongside carrot, spinach and mushrooms.

• Eggs (알류)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Egg is named among the main ingredients of japchae, so ask about it even if you cannot see it on the plate.

• Wheat (밀)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  The noodles are sweet-potato starch, so wheat would come only from the soy sauce — some bottles are brewed with roasted wheat and some from soybeans alone.

• Shrimp (새우)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Seafood japchae tosses blanched shrimp with the glass noodles.

• Squid (오징어)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Seafood japchae also adds blanched squid to the noodles.

• Fish (생선)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Fish cake japchae uses sliced fish cake in place of the meat.

• Shellfish (조개류 · 굴 · 전복)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Some recipes mix oyster sauce into the soy sauce seasoning, and oyster sauce is made from oysters.

• Mushrooms (버섯)Usually in itOnly this one→

  Mushrooms such as shiitake, wood ear and oyster mushrooms are usually stir-fried and tossed with the noodles along with the other vegetables.

• Perilla seed (들깨 · 들기름)Sometimes in itOnly this one→

  Some recipes toss the noodles in perilla oil instead of sesame oil.

Usually in it

Most kitchens put this in. Assume it is there unless the staff tell you otherwise.

Sometimes in it

It depends on the recipe and the brand of sauce, so it is worth asking.

Rarely in it

The usual recipe does not call for it, but some kitchens still use it.

Checked 14 of the 33 ingredients this site covers. An ingredient that is not listed here has simply not been checked yet — that is not the same as it not being in the dish.

⚠This page describes how the dish is usually made in Korea. Every kitchen works differently, so always show your card and ask the staff before you order.