Welcome to our delightful recipe for vegetarian Japchae Mandu (dumplings in Korean)! This mouthwatering dish combines the best of Korean flavors with the comforting satisfaction of vegetarian dumplings. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking to explore new culinary horizons, this recipe will surely become a favorite in your kitchen.
What does japchae mean?
“Japchae” is a Korean dish made with stir-fried glass noodles which are made from sweet potato starch and vegetables

Yields: 35 mandu/dumplings
Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total: 1 hour
What is Japchae Mandu?
In Korean, “Mandu” refers to dumplings which are a versatile staple in Korean cuisine. It is a widely beloved dish enjoyed in various forms across Korea. Whether steamed, boiled, or fried, Mandu has a special place in Korean culture and cuisine. Traditionally, they are made with a combination of minced meat, vegetables, tofu, and various seasonings. However, in our vegetarian version, we’ll be replacing the meat with a medley of vibrant and nutritious vegetables.
Why does Japchae Mandu Recipe work?
This Japchae Mandu recipe works wonders because it brings together the irresistible textures and flavors of Japchae’s stir-fried glass noodles and vegetable filling inside a chewy dumpling wrapper creating a harmonious blend of taste and texture.
Japchae Mandu Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dumplings
- 35 dumpling wrappers
For the Vegetarian Japchae
- 3 ounces glass noodles (sweet potato noodles)
- 1/2 white onion, shredded
- 1/2 carrot (medium size), grated
- 8 dried shitake mushrooms
- 8 ounces tofu, firm
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce, light
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup green onions, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, for frying
For Dipping Sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ½ tablespoon gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
Method
For the japchae
- Cook the glass noodles according to the package instructions. Check the texture before draining. Then rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Heat some vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pan.
- Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the onions to the pan and stir-fry until they are translucent.
- Add the carrots and cook until they are slightly tender
- Add the shitake mushrooms
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked glass noodles to the pan and mix well with the vegetables.
- Add the tofu and crumble into small pieces. Mix well with the vegetables and glass noodles.
- Drizzle soy sauce, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sugar over the mixture. Stir-fry for a few more minutes until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
- Remove from heat and let the filling cool.

For japchae dumplings (mandu)
- Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the Japchae filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, fold it in half, and seal the edges tightly to form a dumpling. Repeat until all the filling is used.
- Steam the Japchae Mandu for about 10-15 minutes in a steamer or a large pot with a steamer basket, until they are cooked through and the wrappers are translucent.
- Serve the steamed Japchae Mandu hot, garnished with chopped green onions. Enjoy them on their own or with a dipping sauce of your choice.

For dipping sauce
- Mix all the ingredients together and serve with the Japchae Mandu.

You might like more…
If you enjoy Japchae Mandu, you may also like these similar recipes:
- Bibim Mandu: These are Korean dumplings that are typically boiled and then seasoned with a spicy and tangy sauce. They are filled with a mixture of vegetables, tofu, and sometimes meat.
- Kimchi Fried Rice: This dish combines the bold flavors of kimchi with fried rice, creating a delicious and satisfying meal. It can be customized with additional vegetables or protein of your choice.
- Tofu Japchae: This is a vegetarian version of the classic Japchae dish. Instead of using glass noodles, it incorporates tofu as the main ingredient, along with a variety of vegetables and seasonings.
- Vegetable Pancakes (Yachaejeon): These crispy and savory pancakes are made with a batter of assorted vegetables such as zucchini, scallions, and carrots. They are pan-fried until golden brown and served with a soy-based dipping sauce.
- Kimbap: Similar to sushi rolls, kimbap is a popular Korean dish that consists of seaweed-wrapped rice rolls filled with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, pickled radish, and sometimes meat or tofu.
- Vegetable Jjajangmyeon: This is a vegetarian version of the popular Korean-Chinese dish, Jjajangmyeon. It features noodles topped with a rich and flavorful black bean sauce, along with stir-fried vegetables.
Other favorite Korean recipes:
- Korean Crispy Fried Chicken in Bao Buns
- Korean Bibim Myeon cold noodles
- Beef Bulgogi Udon Noodles
- Rabokki – tteok with ramen noodles

Japchae Mandu Dumplings
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 35 1x
Ingredients
For the dumplings
- 35 dumpling wrappers
For the Vegetarian Japchae
- 3 ounces glass noodles (sweet potato noodles)
- 1/2 white onion, shredded
- 1/2 carrot (medium size), grated
- 8 dried shitake mushrooms
- 8 ounces tofu, firm
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce, light
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup green onions, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, for frying
For Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon gochugaru Korean red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
For the japchae
- Cook the glass noodles according to the package instructions. Check the texture before draining. Then rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Heat some vegetable oil over medium heat in a large pan.
- Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the onions to the pan and stir-fry until they are translucent.
- Add the carrots and cook until they are slightly tender.
- Add the shitake mushrooms.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked glass noodles to the pan and mix well with the vegetables.
- Add the tofu and crumble into small pieces. Mix well with the vegetables and glass noodles.
- Drizzle soy sauce, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sugar over the mixture. Stir-fry for a few more minutes until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
- Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
For japchae dumplings (mandu)
- Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the Japchae filling in the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, fold it in half, and seal the edges tightly to form a dumpling. Repeat until all the filling is used.
- Steam the Japchae Mandu for about 10-15 minutes in a steamer or a large pot with a steamer basket, until they are cooked through and the wrappers are translucent.
- Serve the steamed Japchae Mandu hot, garnished with chopped green onions. Enjoy them on their own or with a dipping sauce of your choice.
For dipping sauce
- Mix all the ingredients together and serve with the Japchae Mandu.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch/Snack
- Method: Steaming, Frying
- Cuisine: Korean