Best Easy Zhajiang Noodles Recipe

Thick wheat noodles are topped with a rich, savory sauce of minced pork fried with sweet bean paste and fresh julienned vegetables. This hearty Beijing family staple is packed with protein and beloved as an everyday comfort meal.

Cook 35 min Difficulty NORMAL 585 kcal
#high protein #diabetic friendly
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • wheat noodles 16 oz
  • ground pork 12 oz
  • English cucumber 1 pieces
  • scallion 4 pieces
  • carrot 1 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • sweet bean paste 4 tbsp
  • soy sauce 2 tbsp
  • Shaoxing wine 1 tbsp
  • sugar 1 tsp
  • sesame oil 1 tsp
  • vegetable oil 2 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 62 g 42%
Protein 26 g 18%
Fat 24 g 37%
Serving size 390g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Slice cucumber and carrot into fine matchsticks. Thinly slice scallions and set all vegetables aside for topping.

  2. 2

    Boil a large pot of water and cook wheat noodles until just tender, about 5–7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water to prevent sticking.

  3. 3

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and cook, breaking apart with a spatula, until no longer pink and lightly browned.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to medium. Stir in sweet bean paste and cook for 1 minute to bloom the aroma. Add soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar; mix until pork is evenly coated and the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.

  5. 5

    Turn off heat and stir in sesame oil for a finishing fragrance. Serve noodles hot, topped generously with pork sauce and arranged cucumber, carrot, and scallion shreds.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The defining ingredient is sweet bean paste, which gives the Zhajiang Noodles their signature deep, sweet-salty flavor. Combined with ground pork, it forms the hearty sauce that makes this dish uniquely savory.
Q. What cooking step ensures the best flavor in Zhajiang Noodles?
Stir-frying the ground pork until browned over medium-high heat develops rich flavors, but the real depth comes from blooming the sweet bean paste with the pork on medium heat. Allowing the sauce to thicken coats each morsel with savory umami.
Q. How do I prevent the noodles from becoming sticky or overcooked?
After boiling, rinse the noodles under cool water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This ensures the noodles remain springy and separate, rather than clumping together.
Q. How many calories and how much protein are in each serving?
Each serving of Zhajiang Noodles provides about 585 kcal and contains 26g protein. Protein contributes roughly 18% of total calories, making this dish filling and balanced.
AI 채팅 아이콘