Zha Jiang Mian
Zha Jiang Mian is a popular Northern Chinese noodle dish. It features thick wheat noodles topped with a rich, umami-packed sauce made from ground beef or chicken and fermented soybean paste. Think of it as the Chinese version of spaghetti with meat sauce, but with a distinctly Asian flavor profile. It's hearty, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh thick wheat noodles
- 1/2 pound ground beef or chicken
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1/4 cup sweet bean sauce tianmianjiang
- 1/4 cup yellow soybean paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup shredded cucumber
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
Instructions
- If using fresh noodles, blanch them in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are cooked through but still have a nice chew. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside. If using dried noodles, cook them according to package directions.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked through.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet bean sauce, yellow soybean paste, soy sauce, sugar, and water.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet with the meat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Spoon a generous amount of the meat sauce over the noodles.
- Top with the shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, carrots, and sliced scallions.
- Give everything a good mix before eating, ensuring the noodles are well coated with the delicious sauce.