Homestyle Zhajiangmian

Ingredients

• 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork 250g (8.8 oz) ground pork
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fermented soybean paste (doubanjiang) 2 tablespoons fermented soybean paste (doubanjiang)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 300g (10.6 oz) fresh noodles 300g (10.6 oz) fresh noodles
• 1 cucumber, julienned 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, shredded 1 carrot, shredded
• 2 scallions, chopped 2 scallions, chopped

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the ground pork to the wok and cook until browned and cooked through.
3. 3.
   Stir in the fermented soybean paste, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well to combine.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Meanwhile, cook the fresh noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
6. 6.
   To serve, divide the noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the meat sauce over the noodles.
7. 7.
   Garnish with julienned cucumber, shredded carrot, and chopped scallions.
8. 8.
   Mix everything together before eating to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fermented soybean paste (doubanjiang) — Look for this ingredient in Asian grocery stores or online. If unavailable, you can substitute it with hoisin sauce mixed with a small amount of chili paste for a similar flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a teaspoon of chili paste or chili oil to the meat sauce.
• Customize the toppings by adding bean sprouts, shredded lettuce, or pickled radishes.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the sauce during the simmering process.
• Adjust the saltiness by adding more or less soy sauce according to your taste preference.
• Leftover meat sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and used as a topping for rice or steamed buns.

Serving advice

Serve Homestyle Zhajiangmian hot, allowing the flavors to meld together. Mix the noodles and sauce thoroughly before eating to ensure each bite is well-coated with the delicious meat sauce.

Presentation advice

When serving Homestyle Zhajiangmian, arrange the julienned cucumber, shredded carrot, and chopped scallions on top of the meat sauce. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish, making it visually appealing.