Bonchon Japchae — Price & Calories 2026
Korea's beloved glass-noodle dish — chewy sweet-potato noodles stir-fried with vegetables in a savory-sweet soy-sesame sauce. Here's the current price, full calorie breakdown, why the noodles are unlike anything else on the menu, and how Japchae compares to every other Bonchon main — verified against the 2026 menu.
Korea's Celebration Noodle Dish
Japchae (잡채) is one of Korea's most loved dishes — traditionally served at celebrations, holidays and family gatherings. The name means "mixed vegetables," but the star is the noodle: dangmyeon, glass noodles made from sweet-potato starch. They're translucent, springy and chewy in a way wheat noodles never are, and they soak up sauce while somehow staying light.
Bonchon's Japchae keeps the classic formula: glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables in a savory-sweet soy-sesame sauce, finished with sesame. The flavor is gentle and balanced — savory soy, a touch of sweetness, and the nutty depth of sesame oil — with zero chili heat, making it one of the most approachable dishes on the menu.
At $13.75 and 887 calories, Japchae sits in the comfortable middle of the mains on price while being one of the lighter full-size dishes — only the Bibimbap (785 cal) is lighter among the mains. If you want a satisfying Korean dinner that doesn't hit four digits on calories, this is the one.
Bonchon Japchae Price & Details
| Item | Price | Calories | Noodles | Sauce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japchae | $13.75 | 887 cal | Sweet-potato glass noodles | Soy-sesame |
✓ In-store / pickup pricing verified July 2026. Prices may vary by location; delivery-app pricing on DoorDash and Uber Eats runs higher.
Japchae Calorie Breakdown
The numbers below are for a full Japchae order (887 calories total). Glass noodles are nearly pure starch, so most calories come from carbohydrates, with the sesame oil adding richness.
* Calorie total verified against Bonchon's 2026 nutrition information. Macronutrient values are close estimates and vary by location and portion size.
Why Glass Noodles Are Different
Sweet-Potato Starch
Dangmyeon noodles are made from sweet-potato starch, not wheat — which is why they turn translucent when cooked and carry that signature springy, slippery chew. No wheat-noodle dish on the menu has this texture.
The Vegetables
Classic japchae is loaded with stir-fried vegetables — the mix varies, but the point is contrast: crisp vegetables against slippery noodles, all coated in the same glossy sauce.
Soy-Sesame Sauce
The seasoning is soy sauce, a touch of sugar and toasted sesame oil — savory, faintly sweet, deeply nutty. It clings to the glass noodles without making them heavy, and there's no chili anywhere in the dish.
Japchae vs Other Bonchon Main Dishes
| Dish | Price | Calories | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| House Fried Rice | from $11.45 | 977–1,480 | None |
| Bibimbap | from $12.95 | 785 ✓ lowest | None |
| Tteokbokki | $12.95 | 980 | High 🌶🌶 |
| Chicken Katsu | $12.95 | 1,319 | None |
| Japchae | $13.75 | 887 | None |
| Buldak | $15.95 | 2,610 ⚠ | Very High 🌶🌶🌶 (spiciest) |
| Bulgogi | $18.35 | 1,940 | None |
Bonchon Japchae FAQ
How much does Bonchon Japchae cost?
Bonchon Japchae costs $13.75 (prices may vary slightly by location). That's mid-range for a main — more than Tteokbokki or Katsu ($12.95), and $4.60 less than the Bulgogi ($18.35). Delivery-app prices run higher.
How many calories are in Bonchon Japchae?
A full order has 887 calories — one of the lightest mains at Bonchon. Only the Bibimbap (785 cal) is lighter among the full-size mains; everything else runs from 980 (Tteokbokki) up to 2,610 (Buldak).
Is Bonchon Japchae spicy?
No — Japchae has zero heat. The sauce is soy, a touch of sugar and sesame oil, with no chili. Along with Chicken Katsu, it's the safest pick for anyone avoiding spice.
What are glass noodles made of?
Korean glass noodles (dangmyeon) are made from sweet-potato starch. They turn translucent when cooked and have a springy, chewy, slightly slippery texture that wheat noodles don't replicate. They're naturally wheat-free, though cross-contact and sauces vary — confirm with your location if gluten is a concern.
Is Japchae vegetarian?
The base is glass noodles, vegetables and a soy-sesame sauce, but preparations can vary by location. If you need it strictly vegetarian, confirm the current recipe with your specific Bonchon before ordering.
Is Japchae enough for a full meal?
Yes — at 887 calories it eats like a complete dinner while staying lighter than most mains. If you're extra hungry, a $2.05 side of steamed rice or a starter like Edamame rounds it out without doubling the calories.
Japchae vs Bulgogi — which should I order?
Japchae ($13.75, 887 cal) is the lighter, cheaper, noodle-forward pick with zero spice. Bulgogi ($18.35, 1,940 cal) is the beef-heavy feast. Same soy-sesame flavor family — the choice is really about appetite and budget: Japchae saves you $4.60 and more than half the calories.
What to Order With Japchae
Bonchon Wings
The classic combo — light noodles plus crispy double-fried chicken. Soy Garlic wings stay in the same flavor family as the japchae sauce.
Edamame
Keeps the whole meal light — noodles plus steamed soybeans is a complete dinner under 1,200 calories.
Potstickers
Dumplings and noodles are a natural Korean pairing — the potstickers add a crispy-savory bite the soft noodles don't have.
Steamed Rice
In Korea, japchae is often eaten over rice (japchae-bap). Order a side of rice and make it yourself for $2.05.
Ready to Order?
Find your nearest Bonchon location and order online, for pickup, or through DoorDash and Uber Eats.
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