This is a recipe for Korean Black Bean Noodles, a hearty and satisfying Asian staple that was created for Koreans by Chinese immigrants.
Korean Black Bean Noodles
It's important to get Chunjang (black bean paste) or Korean equivalent as nothing else will seem to do.
Servings: 2
Cost: £18
Equipment
- Wok or Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 200 g pork belly or shoulder diced
- 1 medium onion ~150g, diced
- 1 courgette ~150g, diced
- 1 daicon raddish ~150g, diced
- 1 medium potato ~200g, diced
- 2-3 tbsp Korean black bean paste chunjang (~40-60g)
- 1 tbsp sugar ~12g
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil ~30ml
- 240 ml water or chicken stock
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water 15g cornstarch + 30ml water
For the Noodles:
- 400 g fresh wheat noodles jjajangmyeon noodles or thick udon noodles
Garnish:
- Julienned cucumber or thinly sliced green onions ~50g
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Dice the pork, onion, courgette, raddish and potato into bite-sized pieces.
Stir-Fry the Black Bean Paste:
- Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add the black bean paste and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes to reduce bitterness. Remove and set aside.
Cook the Meat and Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, sauté the pork over medium heat until lightly browned (7-10 mins).
- Add the potato and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the onion, courgette and raddish and cook until slightly softened.
Combine and Simmer:
- Return the fried black bean paste to the skillet.
- Add 1 cup of water or chicken stock and stir well. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and let it cook for 7-10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
Cook the Noodles:
- Boil the noodles (heat them up) for 7-9 minutes (2-3 minutes if they are fresh from a packet).
Thicken the Sauce:
- Stir in 1 tbsp of sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add the cornstarch paste gradually, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
Assemble the Dish:
- Place the cooked noodles in a bowl.
- Ladle the black bean sauce over the noodles.
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with julienned cucumber or sliced green onions for freshness.
- Mix the sauce with the noodles before eating.
Notes
- Optional Proteins: You can substitute pork with chicken, beef, or shrimp.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace pork with tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable stock.
- Side Dishes: Serve with kimchi, pickled radish (danmuji), or a side of steamed rice.
Koreans even have a nonofficial celebration for Jjajangmyeon on April 14th, when single people celebrate their shared loneliness on Black Day with a bowl of jjajangmyeon.
