Zha Jiang Mian

Zha Jiang Mian is a kind of traditional Chinese noodle. Originated from Beijing and popular in the northern region. And it was praised as one of the “Top Ten Chinese Noodles” .

What is Zha Jiang Mian?

Zhajiangmian (Chinese: 炸醬面; literally: ‘fried sauce noodles’), or “noodles with soybean paste”, is a Chinese food made from thick wheat noodles,vegetables and zhajiang sauce. Zhajiang sauce is usually made by simmering stir-fried ground pork or beef with salty fermented soybean paste. Zhajiang also means “fried sauce” in Chinese.

The History of Zha Jiang Mian

During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China. When the enemy attack Beijing, the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu took the entourage and escape from Beijing to Xi’an.

Because of the long journey, they were hungry and thirsty. At this time, they smelled the aroma of Zha Jiang Mian, so they entered a noodle restaurant to eat the delicious noodles. Because of its excellent taste, the Empress Dowager Cixi order the general manager to bring the cooked noodle chef to the Beijing Imperial Palace, so that they can eat the Zha Jiang Mian in anytime. Since then, the Zha Jiang Mian appeared in Beijing.

The benefits of Zha Jiang Mian

The main ingredients of Zha Jiang Mian are noodles, pork and vegetables. The noodles are easy to digest and absorb by the human body, and it has the effects of improving anemia, enhancing immunity and balancing nutrient absorption.

Pork is rich in high-quality protein and essential fatty acids. And it also provides heme (organic iron) and cysteine that can promote iron absorption, which can improve iron deficiency anemia.

Cooking tips of Zha Jiang Mian

1. You can stir-fry the meat in advance, which can also saute the fat while removing the smell of meat.

2. If you like to eat the noodles that have a little firm, you can add some cold water in the process of cooking noodles.

Zha Jiang Mian Recipe:

You’ll need:

500g Noodles
400g pork belly, minced
1 cucumber, shredded
1 tablespoon peanut
1 onion
2 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ginger, finely minced
3 tablespoons garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon starch
For the sauce
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
5 tablespoons soybean paste
1 tablespoon doubanjiang(thick broad-bean sauce)
5 tablespoons cold boiled water

How to make Zha Jiang Mian

Make the sauce:
1. Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

2. Mix the pork, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce and 1 starch in another bowl.

3. Heat a wok with oil, and stir-fry onion, garlic and ginger until fragrant.

4. Add the pork and stir-fry until it becomes pale.

5. Pour the sauce into the wok and sprinkle green onion. Transfer it in a bowl and set aside.

Make Zha Jiang Mian
1. Cook clear water in a wok until boiling. Add the noodles in the wok and cook it until boiling.

2. Transfer the noodles in a bowl. Add the cucumber, peanut and the sauce on the noodles and mix well. Serve.

Print Recipe

5 from 12 votes

Zha Jiang Mian

Zha Jiang Mian is a kind of traditional Chinese noodle. Originated from Beijing and popular in the northern region. And it was praised as one of the “Top Ten Chinese Noodles” .

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Zha Jiang Mian

Servings: 5

Calories: 256kcal

Ingredients

• 500g Noodles
• 400g pork belly minced
• 1 cucumber shredded
• 1 tablespoon peanut
• 1 onion
• 2 green onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger finely minced
• 3 tablespoons garlic finely minced
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon starch

For the sauce

• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 5 tablespoons soybean paste
• 1 tablespoon doubanjiang thick broad-bean sauce
• 5 tablespoons cold boiled water

Instructions

Make the sauce:

• Mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
• Mix the pork, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce and 1 starch in another bowl.
• Heat a wok with oil, and stir-fry onion, garlic and ginger until fragrant.
• Add the pork and stir-fry until it becomes pale.
• Pour the sauce into the wok and sprinkle green onion. Transfer it in a bowl and set aside.

Make Zha Jiang Mian

• Cook clear water in a wok until boiling. Add the noodles in the wok and cook it until boiling.
• Transfer the noodles in a bowl. Add the cucumber, peanut and the sauce on the noodles and mix well. Serve.

Notes

1. You can stir-fry the meat in advance, which can also saute the fat while removing the smell of meat.

2. If you like to eat the noodles that have a little firm, you can add some cold water in the process of cooking noodles.