FamilyProof

Zha Jiang Mian Recipe for a Hearty Noodle Bowl

By Jeff Misenti

Zha Jiang Mian (Noodles with Soybean Paste)
Credit: Adobe Stock
Zha Jiang Mian (Noodles with Soybean Paste). Credit: Adobe Stock

Difficulty Level: easy

15 min Prep
30 min Cook
45 min Total
4 Servings

This zha jiang mian recipe is a modern take on a traditional Chinese dish. It tops noodles with ground pork and a flavorful sauce to deliver a hearty dish, perfect for anyone who loves that fermented taste.

The sauce is made with fermented soybean paste, which gives it a deep and savory flavor that many people find incredibly satisfying and moreish.

To be more traditional, we’ve opted for thick wheat noodles in this recipe, but any noodle can be used. We prefer the thicker noodles as they give a soft and chewy base. We also like to garnish with fresh cucumber and green onions for freshness and crunch.

If you’re looking for something big in flavor, check out the ingredients and cooking steps below.

Zha Jiang Mian Ingredients

  • 400g of thick wheat noodles
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 250g of ground pork
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of fermented soybean paste
  • 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of rice wine or dry sherry
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Zha Jiang Mian Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  2. Cook the thick wheat noodles according to the package directions, then drain them well.
  3. Rinse the noodles under cold water so they do not stick together, and set them aside.
  4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the ground pork and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns. Once fully cooked, move the pork to a plate.
  6. In the same pan, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often, until the onion softens and turns translucent.
  7. Lower the heat and put the cooked pork back into the pan.
  8. Add the fermented soybean paste, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Stir everything together until well mixed.
  9. Let the sauce cook for another 7 minutes, stirring now and then, until it thickens. If it looks too dry, add a small splash of water to loosen it slightly and mix.
  10. Divide the cooked noodles between serving bowls and spoon the pork sauce over the top of each portion.
  11. Finish with julienned cucumber, sliced green onions, and other garnishes if using.

Nutrition

Calories: 520cal
Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 26g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 980mg