Quick & Easy Jajangmyeon (Korean Black Bean Noodles)
Thick, chewy wheat noodles in a savory black bean sauce loaded with pork belly, onions, cabbage, and zucchini, topped with crisp cucumbers. This easy Jajangmyeon recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, making it a family-friendly, better-than-takeout main that's great for busy weeknights!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 3 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1.20 lbs thick Korean wheat noodles (fresh kind, or use udon noodles prepared to package directions)
- 0.65 lbs pork belly (chopped into 1/2-inch wide pieces)
- 1 small onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup green cabbage (chopped)
- 1 cup zucchini (small diced)
- 2 green onion (finely chopped)
- ⅓ cup Korean roasted black bean paste (aka Chunjang)
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil (any neutral oil)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce)
- 3/4 cup cucumber (julienned, optional garnish)
- 2 cups water (cold)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (or potato starch)
- 2 tbsp white granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, and water. Mix until dissolved and set aside.
- 2
Heat oil in a large non-stick pan on medium heat. Fry the black bean paste for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Transfer to a separate bowl, keeping 1 tbsp (15 ml) of the oil in the pan. Strain off the excess oil in the bowl and reserve the black bean paste.
- 3
Fry sliced pork belly in the same pan until cooked, browned on the edges and the fat releases. Don't pour out the fat.
- 4
Add onions and green onions and fry until softened. Then add zucchini and cabbage and fry until softened.
- 5
Mix in the black bean paste. Mix the cornstarch slurry and add to the pan. Stir to combine and simmer until thickened. Then season with oyster sauce.
- 6
In a separate pot, boil noodles in water on high heat until al dente, about 3-4 minutes and strain. Don't rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large serving bowl and pour the sauce on top. Garnish with julienned cucumber and mix to enjoy!