Zhajiangmian (China)

An authentic recipe for traditional Chinese Zhajiangmian, highlighting the deep, savory flavors of slow-simmered soybean paste and ground pork over thick wheat noodles.

Level Medium Prep 20 min Cook 25 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10

Ready in

45 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 20m

Cook 25m

Level Medium

About this recipe

An authentic recipe for traditional Chinese Zhajiangmian, highlighting the deep, savory flavors of slow-simmered soybean paste and ground pork over thick wheat noodles.

Beijing's legendary fried sauce noodles combining chewy wheat noodles with rich pork and soybean paste.

Instructions

Mix the sweet bean sauce and fermented soybean paste together in a small bowl.
Heat cooking oil in a wok over medium heat, sauté minced ginger and garlic until aromatic.
Add ground pork to the wok and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
Pour the mixed bean pastes into the wok with the pork, stirring well to coat the meat.
Add water or chicken stock, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns glossy.
15 min
Boil the fresh thick wheat noodles in a separate pot of water until chewy, then drain and rinse briefly in warm water.
Serve the noodles in bowls, top generously with the cooked zhajiang meat sauce, and garnish with fresh julienned cucumber and blanched mung bean sprouts.

Nutrition

Calories 520

Protein 24g

Carbs 65g

Fat 18g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 7g

Sodium 820mg

Serving Size 1 bowl

Cooking Timeline

Prep 20 min

Cook 25 min

Total 45 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10

Expert 4.9 95% conf.

Taste 9.7
Presentation 9.2
Nutrition 8.0
Value 9.5
Instructions 9.4
Ingredients 9.2
Time Accuracy 9.2
Difficulty 7.5
Would Make Again 9.5

Expert Review

Reviewed by FindEdition Kitchen

Verdict

An iconic Northern Chinese noodle classic featuring deeply savory, rich soybean paste and comforting textures.

Pros

Rich umami flavor
Hearty and satisfying
Wonderful contrast of fresh toppings

Cons

Sauce requires careful simmering to prevent burning

Overview

Beijing's legendary fried sauce noodles combining chewy wheat noodles with rich pork and soybean paste.

AI Insights

Summary

An authentic recipe for traditional Chinese Zhajiangmian, highlighting the deep, savory flavors of slow-simmered soybean paste and ground pork over thick wheat noodles.

Tips

Simmer the zhajiang sauce on low heat and stir frequently so the thick bean paste does not stick to the bottom of the wok
Adjust the ratio of sweet bean sauce to soybean paste according to your preference for sweetness versus saltiness
Toss the noodles and sauce thoroughly right before eating to ensure every bite is well coated