Korean Black Bean Noodles

I have a confession.

I’m an addict.

To many things really. But today I shall address just one thing.

YouTube videos.

Yup.

Specifically, a South Korean reality-variety show.

The show is called The Return Of Superman.

In this show, celebrity dads are left to care for their kids for 48 hours without any help while the wives are asked to leave the house. I love this show to death. It’s so funny and the kids are super adorable and cute.

What’s great about this show (for me) is that you get to see them eat. You know how you salivate when you see Anthony Bourdain, Guy Fieri or Andrew Zimmern take a bite of some food… even if you’ve never eaten before, you’re convinced that they’re really delicious.

This was exactly what happened to me. A super popular dish in Korea which is actually an adaptation of the Chinese Black Bean Noodles (Zha Jiang Mien) being eaten in the show. Watching the kids slurping the black bean noodles and leaving traces of black sauce on their face… nay… their entire body made me hit the closest Korean joint to try them out.

I’m glad I did.

This savory black bean noodles’ star is the sauce which is made from fermented black bean paste. It gives it the distinct black color. The sauce is filled with seared pork belly and loaded with vegetables. Pour it over some soft, chewy noodles, this dish is absolutely hearty, healthy & deeply satisfying.

Replicating it at home is a breeze and could arguably be faster (and cheaper and yummier) than take out. I’ll admit, the black bean paste may seem a little intimidating at first, but after combining it with other ingredients and a short simmer, it’ll taste phenomenal.

If you’re into black noodles, you’re going to love this Malaysian Style ‘Hokkien Noodles‘. Stir-fried noodles cooked in lard & pork-shrimp broth loaded with pork, shrimp, squid & vegetables. I shop my absolute favorite noodles from https://99japan.com/pages/japanese-instant-noodles.

Also, if you haven’t already, check out my last post Spicy Lemongrass Wings. They have the perfect balance of savory, sweet & spicy and filled with Southeast Asian flavors. So delicious.

What are you addicted to?

Korean Black Bean Noodles

 

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A savory black bean sauce loaded with seared pork belly & vegetables over soft, chewy noodles. Absolutely hearty, healthy & satisfying.

Author: AiPing | Curious Nut

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Korean

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients

• 1½ tbs oil
• ⅔ cup Korean fermented black bean paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• ½ lb pork belly (a little over 1 cup), cut into ¼"-1/2" cubes
• 1 small yellow onion (1½ cups), cut into ¼"-1/2" cubes
• 3 garlic cloves, diced
• 1 small russet potato (3/4 cup) , cut into ¼"-1/2" cubes
• ½ medium daikon (1 cup) , cut into ¼"-1/2" cubes
• 1 small zucchini (1 cup) , cut into ¼"-1/2" cubes
• 2 cups diced cabbage (cut into ¼"-1/2")
• 2 cups chicken stock
• Salt, black pepper and sugar to taste
• 3 tbs corn starch + 3 tbs water (arrowroot powder works too)
• 
  
• 2.2 lb fresh Korean noodles, cooked according to package directions
• 
  
• Garnish
• 2 hard boiled eggs, halved (more if you're serving more than 4 people)
• 1 large hothouse or 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
• Yellow Pickled Radish
• Kimchi (optional)

Directions

1. Over medium low heat, add the oil, black bean paste and sugar to a wok or pan. Fry the paste for 2 minutes. This is to remove the slight bitterness of the paste. Set aside and rinse the wok/pan.
2. Over high heat, in a wok or pan, sear the pork belly. Once pork is browned, set aside.
3. Add a generous coat of oil to the wok or pan, over medium high heat, sear the onions. Once soft, add the garlic. Fry until the garlic turns to a light golden brown color. Add the potato, daikon, zucchini and white cabbage. Fry for several minutes. Add the seared meat and stir to combine. Add some chicken stock to deglaze the pan (if needed)
4. Add the fried paste and mix well. Add the chicken stock, cover and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiled, turn the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes or until potato has soften.
5. Taste the sauce (see notes 1). Add salt, black pepper, sugar. Once you're satisfied with the taste. Add the cornstarch slurry. The sauce will thicken. Pour over cooked noodles, garnish and serve immediately.

Notes

1. Different brands of black bean paste and chicken stock has different levels of sodium. Also take into account that some noodles are salty while others aren't.

2. You can change the ratio of meat to vegetables as you wish. You can even substitute pork for chicken or beef.

3. Korean fermented black bean paste can be found in Korean markets. Any brand will do. These are sold in a tub or a bottle. I bought Wang brand because that was the only brand on the shelf that day that doesn't have MSG. Make sure they aren't the Chinese black bean paste. They taste different from the Korean ones.

4. Noodles: Usually thick and chewy noodles are used but really, any kind of noodles will do really. Chinese, Korean or Japanese. Thick or thin. It's up to you. If you still can't find fresh Asian noodles, use pasta noodles. The sauce is the star here. This can even be eaten with rice.

5. It's going to be messy so don't wear your favorite shirt when you cook... or eat this. You have been warned.

3.5.3208