egg paste noodles

How to Make Authentic Chinese Zha Jiang Noodles (Noodles with Soybean Paste)

Zha Jiang Noodles, a beloved Northern Chinese dish, combines savory soybean paste with fresh vegetables and chewy noodles. Here’s a simple guide to recreate it at home.

Ingredients:

- 200g noodles (any type, like wheat or egg noodles)

- 100g ground pork (or beef)

- 3 tbsp yellow soybean paste (黄酱)

- 1 tbsp doubanjiang (optional, for extra spice)

- 1 carrot, julienned

- 1 cucumber, julienned

- 5 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp sesame oil

- Oil for stir-frying

Steps:

1. Cook noodles: Boil noodles until al dente, rinse under cold water, and drain. Toss with sesame oil to prevent sticking.

2. Prepare sauce: Mix soybean paste, doubanjiang, soy sauce, and sugar in a bowl.

3. Stir-fry: Heat oil in a wok. Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add ground pork. Cook until browned.

4. Add vegetables: Toss in carrots and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Pour in the sauce, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Combine: Mix noodles with the pork-vegetable sauce. Top with fresh cucumber julienne.

Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, umami-rich dish! For extra flavor, add a dash of vinegar or crushed peanuts.