Zhajiangmian originated in Northeast China and is historically a Beijing staple with

three main components: a salty and savory soy-based sauce, noodles, and vegetable toppings.  In more recent years, Zhajiangmian has also become quite popular in Korean cuisine (known as Jajangmyeon in Korean) and taken on new characteristics of its own.  Each family in Beijing has its own slight variation of the sauce recipe, and I’ll share with you below the recipe that my grandpa grew up enjoying with his family in Beijing.  The sauce can also be made in a large batch ahead of time, and, with refrigeration, can be used for up to a month.  On days when I feel especially far from home, a big bowl of Zhajiangmian always warms my heart (and fills my belly)!

• Pork belly, 1/2 pound
• Vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon
• Chinese dark soybean paste, 2 cups
• Soy sauce, 1.5 tablespoons
• Cane or brown sugar, 1 teaspoon
• Green onion, chopped
• Noodles, 4 cups cooked
• Tomato, 1
• Cucumber, 1

• Rice vinegar
• Hot pepper sauce

1. First, it is important that the pork belly you use has even portions of fat and lean meat.  The fatty portions will add oil to help the sauce mix the noodles and add richness to the fried sauce.  Trim any skin off the pork belly and cut the pork belly into approximately quarter-inch cubes.  Helpful tip: Freeze the pork belly overnight and cube while the pork belly is in the process of defrosting at room temperature.  The frozen firmness of the pork belly makes it much easier to cut into small, even pieces.
2. In a wok, sauté the cubed pork belly in a teaspoon of vegetable oil over medium heat until the pork belly is fully opaque.  Remove the cooked pork belly from the wok while leaving all melted fat and leftover oil in the wok.
3. Sauté the soybean paste in the leftover oil and add in the sugar and soy sauce.  Continuously stir the soybean paste to prevent burning and make sure that the soybean paste is cooked thoroughly for approximately 4-5 minutes.  After the soybean paste is fully cooked, turn off the heat then mix in the chopped green onions.  Your fried sauce is now ready!
4. When ready to serve, cook noodles according to package directions and cut the cucumbers and tomatoes into thin strips.  We often add additional seasonal vegetable toppings, such as bean sprouts or radishes, though cucumber has always been a required topping to our family because it adds such great crunch and texture.

If you like a little more pop of flavor like I do, add rice vinegar and hot pepper sauce to taste.  I never say no to an opportunity to add spiciness!  Enjoy!