View source for Japchae

{{Short description|Korean stir-fried noodle dish}}
{{Italic title}}{{Infobox food
| name             = ''Japchae''
| image            = Polish Korean Cuisine and Culture Exchanges Gradmother’s Recipes 05.jpg
| caption          = 
| alternate_name   = 
| country          = [[Korea]]
| region           = 
| national_cuisine = [[Korean cuisine]]
| creator          = 
| year             = 
| mintime          = 
| maxtime          = 
| type             = 
| course           = 
| served           = {{Convert|50-65|C}}
| main_ingredient  = [[Cellophane noodles|Sweet potato starch noodles]]
| minor_ingredient = 
| variations       = 
| serving_size     = 
| calories         = 
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| protein          = 
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| similar_dish     = 
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| module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto
| child = yes
| hangul     = 잡채
| hanja      = 雜菜
| ipa  = {{IPA|ko|tɕap̚.tɕʰɛ|}}
}}
}}

'''''Japchae''''' ({{Korean|hangul=잡채}}) is a savory and slightly sweet dish of stir-fried [[cellophane noodles|glass noodles]] and vegetables that is popular in [[Korean cuisine]].<ref name="NIKL">{{Cite web|url=http://www.korean.go.kr/common/download.do?file_path=notice&c_file_name=140730_%ED%95%9C%EC%8B%9D%EB%AA%85_%EB%A1%9C%EB%A7%88%EC%9E%90_%ED%91%9C%EA%B8%B0_%EB%B0%8F_%ED%91%9C%EC%A4%80_%EB%B2%88%EC%97%AD_%ED%99%95%EC%A0%95%EC%95%88_.pdf&o_file_name=140730_%ED%95%9C%EC%8B%9D%EB%AA%85_%EB%A1%9C%EB%A7%88%EC%9E%90_%ED%91%9C%EA%B8%B0_%EB%B0%8F_%ED%91%9C%EC%A4%80_%EB%B2%88%EC%97%AD_%ED%99%95%EC%A0%95%EC%95%88_.pdf|script-title=ko:주요 한식명(200개) 로마자 표기 및 번역(영, 중, 일) 표준안|last=National Institute of Korean Language|date=30 July 2014|language=ko|format=PDF|access-date=22 August 2017}}
*{{cite press release |date=2014-05-02 |script-title=ko:주요 한식명 로마자 표기 및 표준 번역 확정안 공지 |url=http://www.korean.go.kr/front/board/boardStandardView.do?board_id=4&mn_id=17&b_seq=1465 |website=[[National Institute of Korean Language]] |language=ko}}</ref> ''Japchae'' is typically prepared with ''[[dangmyeon]]'' ({{Korean|hangul=당면|hanja=唐麵|labels=no}}), a type of [[cellophane noodles]] made from [[sweet potato]] starch; the noodles are mixed with assorted vegetables, meat, and mushrooms, and seasoned with [[soy sauce]] and [[sesame oil]].<ref name="Booth">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/04/gluten-free-sesame-free-soy-free-japchae-stir-fry-recipe|title=Gluten-free, soya-free and sesame-free Korean japchae stir-fry|last=Booth|first=Susanna|date=4 April 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Tanumihardja">{{Cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Food/Stir-It-Up/2015/0226/Korean-stir-fried-glass-noodles-japchae|title=Korean stir-fried glass noodles, 'japchae'|last=Tanumihardja|first=Patricia|date=25 February 2015|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Kim">{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/best-korean-dishes/index.html|title=Best Korean dishes: 40 foods we can't live without|last=Kim|first=Violet|date=13 July 2017|work=[[CNN Travel]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Oliver">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/31/world-cup-cooking-jamie-oliver|title=Jamie Oliver's recipes for World Cup watching|last=Oliver|first=Jamie|date=31 May 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref>

Once a [[Korean royal court cuisine|royal dish]], japchae is now one of the most popular traditional celebration dishes, often served on special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays (especially ''[[Doljanchi|dol]]'', the first birthday, and ''[[hwangap]]'', the sixtieth), and holidays.<ref name="Yeon">{{Cite news|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/09/23/2010092300228.html|title=Versatile Japchae, a Dish for Special Occasions|last=Yeon|first=Dana|date=23 September 2010|work=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Oliver" /><ref name="KTO2">{{Cite news|url=http://korea.stripes.com/news/exploring-korea's-true-flavor|title=Exploring Korea's true flavor|last=Korea Tourism Organization|work=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stripes Korea]]|access-date=22 August 2017|issue=30 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319034327/https://korea.stripes.com/news/exploring-korea%E2%80%99s-true-flavor|archive-date=19 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also popular at banquets, parties, and [[potluck]]s, due to the ease of bulk preparation and flexible serving: ''japchae'' can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold from the refrigerator, and can be eaten freshly made or the day after.<ref name="Tanumihardja" /><ref name="Kim" />

''Japchae'' is commonly served as a ''[[banchan]]'' (side dish), though it may also be eaten as a main dish. It is sometimes served on a bed of rice: with rice, it is known as ''japchae-bap'' ({{lang|ko|잡채밥}}).

== Etymology and history ==
The [[Sino-Korean vocabulary|Sino-Korean word]] ''japchae'' ({{Korean|hangul=잡채|hanja=雜菜|labels=no}}) consists of two syllables, ''jap'' ({{Korean|hangul=잡|hanja=雜|labels=no}}) meaning "mixed" and ''chae'' ({{Korean|hangul=채|hanja=菜|labels=no}}) meaning "vegetable".<ref name="Yeon" /><ref name="Lee">{{Cite news|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2916118|title=Japchae: A royal Korean tradition, but kings of old held the noodles|last=Lee|first=Eun-joo|date=3 February 2010|work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="KTO2" />

According to ''[[Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty]]'', the name originally referred to a stir-fried [[vegetable]] and [[mushroom]] dish, first made in the early 17th century by [[Yi Chung (Joseon official)|Yi Chung]] (1568‒1619) for [[Gwanghaegun of Joseon|King Gwanghaegun]]'s palace banquet.<ref name="Yeon" /><ref name="KTO2" /> The king liked the dish so much that he rewarded Yi by promoting him to a high-ranking position, equivalent to the position of [[Secretary of the Treasury]], and ''japchae'' became a fixture of [[Korean royal court cuisine]].<ref name="Yeon" /> Cooked without noodles or meat at the time, ''japchae'' was considered a luxurious and elegant dish served to the royal family and high-level officials.<ref name="Lee" /> [[Cucumber]]s, [[Korean radish|radishe]]s, and [[shiitake mushroom]]s were among the vegetables used in this period.<ref name="Lee" />

''Japchae'', like other royal dishes, was eventually adopted into the cuisine of common people. Its popularity increased later in the 20th century when cellophane noodles made from sweet potato starch were introduced to Korea from China.<ref name="Yeon" /><ref name="Lee" /> The noodles have since become an integral and primary ingredient of ''japchae''. Beef and other meats have been added to the noodle dish, while experimentation and adaptations have led to many noodle-less variations made with [[seafood]], [[herbs]], [[Bell peppers|peppers]], [[bean sprouts]], and other ingredients.<ref name="Yeon" />

== Ingredients and preparation ==
[[File:Dangmyeon.jpg|thumb|''[[Dangmyeon]]'']]
''[[Dangmyeon]]'' are pale grey, semi-transparent, chewy and elastic noodles made from [[sweet potato]] starch.<ref name="Booth" /><ref name="Tanumihardja" /> They are also known as "glass noodles", "cellophane noodles", or "sweet potato vermicelli".<ref name="Booth" /><ref name="Tanumihardja" /> The noodles may be soaked in water before cooking.<ref name="Barnaby">{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/life/karen+barnaby+wheat+noodling/11541399/story.html|title=Karen Barnaby: Non-wheat noodling|last=Barnaby|first=Karen|date=24 November 2015|work=[[The Vancouver Sun]]|access-date=22 August 2017|archive-date=22 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822175726/http://www.vancouversun.com/life/karen+barnaby+wheat+noodling/11541399/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Noodles are sometimes soaked in hot water and then stir-fried.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:잡채|url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=42701&docId=3384871&categoryId=58381|access-date=2021-04-17|website=terms.naver.com|language=ko}}</ref> The assortment of vegetables in ''japchae'' may vary, with typical ingredients including [[Edible mushroom|mushrooms]], [[carrot]]s, [[spinach]], [[onion]]s, [[Egg as food|egg]] and [[Allium fistulosum|scallions]].<ref name="Kim" /> Commonly used mushrooms are [[Auricularia auricula-judae|wood ear]], [[shiitake]], and [[Pleurotus ostreatus|oyster mushrooms]]. Both beef and pork are commonly used for ''japchae''.<ref name="Kim" /><ref name="Yeon" /> Each ingredient is stir-fried separately before being mixed with boiled and drained noodles, and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, chopped garlic, green onions and sesame oil.<ref name="Booth" /> The dish is usually garnished with toasted [[sesame seeds]] and [[chili thread]]s, and served hot or cold.<ref name="Barnaby" />

== Varieties ==
[[File:Korean cuisine, food.jpg|thumb|Korean ''japchae'']]

=== Royal court dishes ===
* ''Gyeoja-chae'' ({{lang|ko|겨자채}})
* ''Jokchae'' ({{lang|ko|족채}}) – made with shredded ''[[jokpyeon]]'' (trotter jelly) and vegetables
* ''[[Tangpyeong-chae]]'' ({{lang|ko|탕평채}}) – made with ''[[nokdu-muk]]'' (mung bean jelly), beef, mung bean sprouts, [[Oenanthe javanica|water dropwort]], and [[Artemisia vulgaris|mugwort]]
* ''[[Wolgwa-chae]]'' ({{lang|ko|월과채}}) – made with [[Oriental pickling melon]], beef, and vegetables
* ''Juksoon-chae'' ({{lang|ko|죽순채}}) - made with [[bamboo shoot]]s and vegetables

=== Other dishes ===
* ''[[Gochu-japchae]]'' ({{lang|ko|고추잡채}}) – made with shredded green pepper and vegetables
* ''Buchu-japchae'' ({{lang|ko|부추잡채}}) – made with garlic chives
* ''Kongnamul-japchae'' ({{lang|ko|콩나물잡채}}) – made with soybean sprouts
* ''Haemul-japchae'' ({{lang|ko|해물잡채}}) – made with seafood and vegetables
* ''Beoseot-japchae'' ({{lang|ko|버섯잡채}}) – made with mushrooms
* ''Gungjung-japchae'' ({{lang|ko|궁중잡채}}) - made with high-grade ingredients and royal vegetables

== See also ==
{{Wiktionary}}
{{commons category}}
* ''[[Gochu-japchae]]''
* ''[[Tangpyeong-chae]]''
* ''[[Wolgwa-chae]]''
* ''[[Funchoza]]''
* [[List of sweet potato dishes]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Korean food and drink}}
{{Noodle}}

[[Category:Korean noodle dishes]]
[[Category:Mixed noodles]]
[[Category:Sweet potato dishes]]