A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Japchae
A popular Korean glass noodle dish, pronounced with a 'J' sound and a long 'A'.
japchae
JAP-chay
/ˈdʒæp.tʃeɪ/ · jap · chay
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
Japchae is frequently found on the menus of Korean restaurants, often listed as a main dish or appetizer. It's also a common item at Korean potlucks and family gatherings, and sometimes appears in articles about Korean cuisine.
Where the word comes from
From Korean 잡채 (japchae), meaning 'mixed vegetables'. It's composed of 잡 (jap), meaning 'mixed', and 채 (chae), meaning 'vegetables'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- JAP-chee The final syllable sounds like 'chay' (rhymes with 'say'), not 'chee'.
- JAH-p-chay The first syllable has a short 'a' sound like in 'apple', not a long 'ah' sound.
Frequently asked
What does japchae mean?
Japchae literally translates to 'mixed vegetables' in Korean. While it traditionally contained vegetables, modern versions almost always include glass noodles and often meat.
Is japchae spicy?
Japchae is typically not spicy, though it has a savory and slightly sweet flavor profile from soy sauce and sugar. Some variations might include a touch of chili for mild heat.
What are the main ingredients in japchae?
The core ingredients are Korean glass noodles (made from sweet potato starch), various stir-fried vegetables like carrots, spinach, and onions, and often thinly sliced beef or pork.
How do you say japchae in Korean?
Japchae is written as 잡채 in Korean. The pronunciation is very similar to the English spelling.
Is it japchae or chap chae?
The most common romanization is japchae. However, some people spell it 'chap chae' to reflect the pronunciation more closely.
Do Koreans pronounce J as CH?
In Korean, the sound represented by 'j' at the beginning of a word is often closer to a 'ch' sound. This is why 'japchae' can sound like 'chap chae'.
How do you pronounce chap chae?
Pronounce it with a 'ch' sound for the 'j', followed by 'ahp' and then 'cheh'. So it sounds like 'chahp-cheh'.
