EASY! Jjajangmyeon Korean-Chinese Black Bean Noodles
An EASY Jjajangmyeon recipe packed with traditional flavor! Black bean noodles can be defined as one of the most popular Korean comfort foods. Savory, slightly sweet with tons of umami. Many Koreans can relate this dish to their childhood.
Equipment
- 1 wok Or any large deep non-stick pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pork Butt/Shoulder (or pork belly) chopped into cubes
- 1 cup Zucchini chopped small cubes
- 1 cup Potatoes chopped small cubes
- 1 ½ cup Onions chopped
- ¼ cup Vegetable Oil
- ½ cup Korean Black Bean Paste (Chunjang)
- 1 Tbs Sugar
- 3 cup Water
- ½ cup Cucumber Sliced into matchsticks
Slurry
- 2 Tbs Potato Starch
- ¼ cup Water
Noodles
- 2-3 bunches Fresh Knife-cut noodles Can be found in refrigerator section of most Asian markets. Feel free to use any type of noodles, or even rice!
Instructions
- Heat wok on medium/high heat.
- Add Vegetable Oil and Black Bean Paste and fry well. It is important to fry well for umami flavor. Cook and stir until the black bean paste starts to separate.
- Remove the fried black bean paste with the oil and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Add chopped pork to the wok and stir well until all sides are golden brown and fat is melting off.
- Add chopped Zucchini, Potatoes, and Onions. Stir well. Cook until the potatoes are almost translucent.
- Add the bowl of fried Black Bean Paste with the oil to the veggies and pork. Stir well.
- Add Sugar, stir.
- Add Water, stir well, and simmer (covered) to cook potatoes all the way through.
- Slurry: In a separate bowl add potato starch and ¼ cup water and mix well.
- Add Slurry to the wok once potatoes are cooked and stir to thicken.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions.
- Serve with sliced cucumbers as a garnish. ENJOY!
Notes
Pork belly is used traditionally, however we like using pork butt/shoulder because it is more accessible, a more affordable and meatier.
Don't be afraid to fry the black bean paste well, fry until it separates, this is where the umami flavor comes from.
Serve over any type of noodles you want and it's even delicious over rice (Jjajangbab!)
Numbers 6:22-26