Creamy Jajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles) Recipe
Jajangmyeon is a classic Korean-Chinese dish featuring chewy wheat noodles topped with a savory and slightly sweet black bean sauce made from fermented black bean paste and stir-fried pork and onions. This comforting noodle dish is a popular choice for a hearty and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 200g fresh wheat noodles
Sauce
- 150g pork shoulder or pork belly, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons Korean black bean paste (chunjang)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup water or stock
- 1 teaspoon corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Dice the pork into bite-sized pieces and dice the onion. Set aside.
- Cook the sauce base: In a pan over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and stir-fry the diced pork until it is browned and cooked through.
- Add onion and black bean paste: Add the diced onion to the pork, and cook until softened. Stir in the Korean black bean paste and sugar, allowing the paste to fry slightly to deepen the flavor.
- Add liquid and simmer: Pour in water or stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld. If a thicker sauce is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
- Cook the noodles: In a large pot of boiling water, cook the wheat noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
- Toss and serve: Place the noodles in bowls and ladle the black bean sauce over the top. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute pork with beef or seafood if preferred.
- Add diced cucumber or fresh scallions on top for crunch and freshness.
- The black bean paste (chunjang) can be found at Korean or Asian grocery stores.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and sauté extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms instead.
Keywords: Jajangmyeon, Korean black bean noodles, black bean sauce, Korean noodle dish, chunjang, pork noodles
