Jajangmyeon (Noodles In Black Bean Sauce)
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Servings:
Ingredients
  • 4 ounce pork loin, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine or mirin
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 5 tablespoon korean black bean paste (chunjang or jjajang)
  • 1 -3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • 1 large onion, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
  • 4 ounce cabbage, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1/2 zucchini, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water
  • 1 -2 tablespoons cornstarch*
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 12 -14 ounces fresh jajangmyeon or udon noodles
  • cucumber matchsticks, for garnish (optional)
Directions
  1. In a bowl, combine the pork with the rice wine or mirin and grated ginger, if using. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
  2. Add the black bean paste to a small saucepan with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, the sugar, and oyster sauce, if using. Fry over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. (If using pre-fried or roasted black bean paste, jjajang, you can skip this process. Just combine the sugar and the oyster sauce, if using, and set aside.)
  3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, heat a large pan with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over high heat. Add the pork and stir-fry until almost cooked. Add the onion, cabbage, and zucchini and cook until soft, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the black bean paste and mix everything together until all of the meat and vegetables are coated well with the paste.
  5. Pour in the stock or water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 4-5 minutes. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water. Stir in and cook briefly until the sauce is thickened. Add more sugar, to taste, if necessary.
  6. Add the noodles to the boiling water. Cook according to the package directions and drain. (Do not overcook. The noodles should have a firm bite to them.) Place a serving size of noodles in each bowl. Spoon the sauce over the noodles and garnish with cucumber matchsticks, if using.