Go Back
Print

Vegetarian Jajangmyeon (Noodles in Black Bean Sauce)

This dish is everything I want in a noodle dish. Nice, thick sauce, with a myriad of topping mixed in to make a satisfying texture. Savory and earthy at the same time. You should try this dish at least once!
Prep Time20 minutes
Active Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: Noodles

Materials

  • 1/3 cup Neutral oil I used canola
  • 3 green onion cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/3 cup black bean paste
  • 1 tbsp cane sugar
  • 2 tbsp potato starch
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 bunches thick noodles
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tbsp vegetarian friendly pork bouillon optional
  • 1/2 tbsp mushroom extract optional, but highly recommended
  • pinch of salt

Added Vegetables (Can be exchanged or omitted per preference)

  • 1 potato, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
  • 1 onion, minced
  • 1 zucchini, cut into 1/2" pieces
  • 1 pkg mushrooms I used shitake, but you can use white button or Baby Bella
  • 1 konnyaku (Japanese yam cake) cut into small cubes optional

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a pan. Add the cut green onion and fry until it turns crispy. Strain and let cool as you prepare the other ingredients.
  • In the same pan, add 3 tbsp of the oil and the Black bean paste. Fry until it becomes looser and fragrant. This is to remove any bitterness. Remove from hear and let cool.
  • Add the rest of the oil and add the Konnyaku and mushrooms. Add the 1/3 cup of water, the mushroom extract and pork bouillon. Stir and let cook until the broth evaporates and the mushrooms and Konnyaku get crispy.
  • Add the onions and zucchini. Fry until soften. Add the potatoes, Black bean paste, and the 3 cups of water. Let cook until potatoes are soft.
  • Mix the potato starch with 1/4 cup of water and mix well. Slowly add to sauce while mixing. It should start to thicken. Turn off the heat.
  • Finish with the sugar and sesame oil. And salt to taste.

The Noodles

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add noodles in while stirring the water to make sure they don't stick together.
  • Cook until a little underdone. It will continue to cook in the sauce.
  • Drain the water and rinse in cold water.
  • Add to the sauce and twirl it in to coat.
  • Serve hot with sesame seeds and green onions.