Dangmyeon / glass noodles

Ingredient guide

Dangmyeon / glass noodles 당면

Dangmyeon are chewy glass noodles made from sweet potato starch. They are the star of japchae and also go into soups and dumpling fillings.

Taste

Neutral with a springy, slightly slippery chew; they soak up whatever sauce they sit in.

What to look for

Dry, grayish-brown strands labelled dangmyeon or "sweet potato starch noodles" in Korean markets. They become translucent when cooked.

Storing it

Keep dry in the pantry; cooked noodles are best the same day.

How to find Dangmyeon / glass noodles, anywhere

Works in any country — look for these names, in these kinds of shops.

Names to look for

  • dangmyeon
  • sweet potato starch noodles
  • Korean glass noodles
  • japchae noodles
  • 당면
Show this at the shop당면

Where to look

  • Korean grocery stores, dried noodle aisle
  • Asian supermarkets (sold as sweet potato glass noodles or fensi)

Watch out for

  • Mung bean glass noodles look similar but are less chewy.
  • Cook them in plenty of boiling water and rinse so they do not clump.

Can't find Dangmyeon / glass noodles? Use this instead

Honest swaps, with amounts per unit of the original and how the dish will change.

Mung bean glass noodles (cellophane)

Mung bean glass noodles (cellophane)Some stores

Same weight; cook per the package

Close in look, but a little less chewy and a bit more slippery than sweet potato noodles.

▼ chewy bite

Thin rice vermicelli

Thin rice vermicelliEasy to find

Same weight; soak until just tender

Softer and less springy, but easy to find. Fine for stir-fries.

▼ chewy bite▲ softer

Where to buy it near you