Introduction
Jajangmyeon is a beloved Korean-Chinese noodle dish that has become a staple comfort food in Korea. It features thick wheat noodles topped with a savory black bean sauce made primarily from chunjang (black bean paste), pork, and various vegetables. This dish is particularly popular for its rich umami flavor and satisfying texture, perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner. Today, I’ll introduce you to this delicious dish and guide you through a simple recipe suitable for one serving.
Main Content
Ingredients (for 1 serving):
– Thick wheat noodles (fresh or dried): 150g
– Pork shoulder or belly (diced): 80g
– Onion (medium, diced): 70g
– Zucchini (small, diced): 50g
– Potato (small, diced): 50g
– Garlic (minced): 5g
– Black bean paste (chunjang): 40g
– Sugar: 5g
– Soy sauce: 5ml
– Water: 120ml
– Cornstarch: 7g (mixed with 15ml water to make slurry)
– Vegetable oil: 15ml
– Cucumber (julienned, for garnish): 20g
Recipe Steps:
1. Prepare all the vegetables and pork by dicing them into bite-sized pieces.
2. Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and set aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
4. Add the diced pork and stir-fry until it changes color and is nearly cooked through.
5. Add the onions, zucchini, and potato to the pan, stir-frying for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften slightly.
6. Push the ingredients to one side of the pan, add the black bean paste into the empty space and fry it for about 1 minute to release its aroma (be careful not to burn). Then mix it well with the pork and vegetables.
7. Pour water into the pan, add sugar and soy sauce, stir, and let it simmer for about 7-8 minutes until vegetables are fully cooked and the flavors meld.
8. Stir the cornstarch slurry and slowly add it to the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens to a glossy consistency. Remove from heat.
9. Place the cooked noodles in a bowl, generously ladle the black bean sauce over the noodles.
10. Garnish with fresh julienned cucumber for crunch and freshness.
Conclusion
Jajangmyeon offers a deeply satisfying taste and texture combination with its hearty sauce and chewy noodles. It’s a dish that marries the savory, sweet, and umami flavors perfectly, making it a favorite among many Koreans and international food lovers alike. Easy to prepare at home with just a few ingredients, this recipe is a great way to enjoy a taste of Korean cuisine in your own kitchen. Give it a try and experience the comforting flavors of Jajangmyeon!
