Korean Black Bean Noodles also known as Jjajangmyeon is a delicious Korean-Chinese dish. The thick, silky sauce is packed with pork and diced vegetables. It coats the noodles and is filled with authentic umami flavor!
It's one of the most popular noodle dishes in Korean! Perfect for special occasions or Sunday supper.
Next time try Teriyaki Noodles - they're amazing!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
You guys know I love Korean food! The blog is filled with delicious bites like Korean BBQ Beef Bowl, Glass Noodle Soup, Korean Style Beef Broccoli Rice Bowl, Korean Barbecued Chicken Kabobs and even more! What can I say it's a favorite!
Today I'm introducing you to a new flavor, but don't even ask me how to pronounce it! Jjajangmyeon aka Korean Black Bean Noodles. I've had them in restaurants and they are delicious! Now we can make them at home!
Jjajangmyeon recipe, which is Korean Style Noodles in thick Black Bean Sauce is a popular dish from Korea. But interestingly, it originated in China.
The thick noodles are coated with a rich black sauce, but don't be fooled by its looks. This paste is mixed in with slightly sweet soybeans (which is called chunjang) to balance out the flavor.
Even if it's your first time making this popular korean-chinese noodle dish, good news! It is super easy to make!
🗒️ Ingredients
For the exact measurements and ingredient list, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- black-bean paste - when you're checking online (link in the recipe card below) it may be called Chunjang, Jjajang sauce, soybean paste, sweet bean sauce or simply black bean paste. Also available at Asian grocery stores and Korean markets. If you can't find it, your best substitute is oyster sauce.
- olive oil, vegetable or corn oil to sauté.
- garlic, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, yellow onion.
- sesame oil - adds a smokey, nutty flavor.
- brown sugar - sweetens and balances the sauce.
- pork loin or tenderloin - I prefer tenderloin, as it's super tender.
- cornstarch - to thicken the sauce. Potato starch is a great substitute.
- thick flat noodles - fresh noodles are delicious! Buckwheat or udon noodles, linguine even ramen noodles will be delicious! We're looking for delicious chewy noodles.
- add a splash of rice wine vinegar (not pictured) right before serving.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
Start by preparing the ingredients, dice potatoes, carrots and zucchini into small cubes as well as the pork. Dice the onions.
- In a large skillet sauté the pork and potatoes until lightly browned in a couple tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Add the zucchini and onions and cooked for another couple minutes.
- Next add the Korean black bean paste, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, stir and continue to simmer to meld the flavors.
- Add the lukewarm water (or chicken stock for even more flavor) and carrots, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer.
- Mix together the cornstarch slurry and add it to the sauce. Stir the savory black bean sauce until it thickens.
- Allow the jajangmyeon sauce to cook 15 minutes.
- While the sauce and vegetables are cooking, prepare the noodles, cook to al dente.
- Once the sauce and noodles are ready, put the noodles in a large bowl, topped with the meat sauce. Garnish with sliced raw onions, cilantro and just a splash of white or rice wine vinegar. Serve with soy sauce on the side.
Equipment
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- You may not be able to find the Chinese black bean paste in your local grocery store, but it's readily available on Amazon.
- You may be able to find Udon Noodles or Buckwheat Soba Noodles in the international aisle at the store, but if you can't, you can always use linguine.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
It's a pungent flavor and a little goes a long way. It's unique to Chinese food - it's salty and pungent, spicy with just a touch of sweetness.
I ordered it online from Amazon, unfortunately the local market probably won't carry it. If you have an Asian market, you'll find it there. If you can't find it, your best substitute is hoisin sauce.
Be sure to refrigerate leftovers. The Black Bean Noodle recipe will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Although it's called Korean Noodles, it's a recipe that originated in China.
👍 Tips
- Avoid over cooking the ingredients, especially the carrots. You want them to be firm, but not crunchy or raw. Same goes for the pork and potatoes they should be tender but not shredded or tough.
- When serving the noodles, pair it with side dishes such as kimchi, the vinegary bite is a perfect combination!
- Leftover bean paste can be frozen for up to three months before using it.
Top Jjajangmyeon with a sprinkle of rice wine vinegar, just a touch - the vinegary bite cuts the richness of the sauce.
You don't need to spend oodles of money or time to create the popular Chinese noodle dish Jjajangmyeon. Plus, with the benefits of meat and the smooth consistency of the noodles, it makes an impressive combination you'll want to make again!
Serving suggestions
Kimchi is a wonderful with Jjajangmyeon - there's that vinegary bite which makes this a super yummy combination!
Top it with a fried egg, yellow pickled radish, sliced cucumbers or sliced onions - delicious!
For a variation, serve topped with crispy fried pork belly - so delicious!
Stir fry shiitake mushrooms with the pork - it's an excellent combination.
Related recipes
I have more easy recipes and great Korean recipes and popular noodle dishes on the blog with a ton of great flavor! Here are some that you need to try!
- You know when you go to your favorite Chinese restaurant and they have that wonderful Korean BBQ Beef? You can make it at home for just pennies and it's delicious!
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Spaghetti - easy to make (only about 20 minutes) and delicious!
- One of my favorites is this Korean bbq chicken recipe - so good and easy to make!
- A couple more on the blog are broccoli and rice and this delicious bbq sauce.
- If you're like to try a delicious spicy seafood noodle soup this Thai Soup Recipe is for you!
If you'd prefer a vegan version, then check out this vegan jajangmyeon recipe - it also has that thick black bean sauce with such amazing flavor!
A few of my favorite noodles recipes are Teriyaki Noodles and Spicy Sesame Noodles.
Jajangmyeon - Korean Black Bean Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Korean black-bean paste (it would usually say chunjang or jajang when bought)
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 1 ½ cups potatoes peeled and diced into small cubes
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 onions, diced
- 1 cup pork loin, diced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoon cold water
- 1 pound thick flat noodles udon, buckwheat or linguine
- white or rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon sprinkled on each serving for garnish and cuts the richness of the dish.
Instructions
- Add oil to a skillet over medium heat and let it heat up. Stir fry the pork and potatoes together, stirring it for about three minutes or until slightly browned.
- Add the zucchini and onions, sautéing all ingredients for another three minutes.
- Put the bean paste, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, again continuing to stir until all ingredients are well combined. Continue to sauté everything for about four minutes.
- Add the lukewarm water and carrots. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer.
- While it simmers, mix the cornstarch with cold water, then add it to the sauce. Stir the mixture until it thickens.
- Continue to cook for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat when the vegetables and meat are tender.
- While the sauce and vegetables are cooking, cook noodles in a large pot of water according to package directions.
- Once the sauce and noodles are ready, put the noodles in a large bowl, then add the chunjang sauce over it. Sauce noodles, mixing everything together.
- Serve the noodles with sliced raw onions, cilantro julienned cucumbers and a splash of white or rice wine vinegar.
Emily says
Silly question...I have black bean sauce...not paste. Are they interchangeable in this recipe? Or would i have to adjust the water amount to not dilute the black bean sauce? Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
I think that's a great question Emily! Not knowing which products you have, I believe the black bean sauce and black bean paste SHOULD be interchangeable. Keep an eye on it when you make the recipe, the sauce should not be runny, but rich and thick. If you'd like email me a picture of the product to debra@bowl-me-over.com - I'll be better able to help! p.s. when you serve this, be sure to add a splash of vinegar as directed. It makes all the difference!
Emily says
Thank you so much for the quick reply! I just emailed you a pic of the black bean sauce. I have all my veggies prepped to make this deliciousness tonight for dinner!
Sandi says
I was scanning through the ingredients, and I "think" I can find everything in gluten free. I am so excited to try this noodle dish!
Bowl Me Over says
I love the dish! The noodles are just luscious, so much flavor!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
This looks delightful, Debra! I would love to give it a try as soon as possible!
Bowl Me Over says
Doesn't it though? It was such a treat to have Claire guest post this amazing recipe! When you try it please swing back and let me know what you think! I bet you'll love it as much as we do!!!
Sarah Newman says
These look scrumptious! I love the idea of making a sauce out of black bean paste. Will have to give that a try! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
It does look just amazing! Sumo Chef is amazing!!
Renee says
Omg these photos are making me so hungry, this looks seriously delicious.
Bowl Me Over says
I so agree Renee - all I need now is my chopsticks!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
Such a delicious recipe. My husband loves black bean sauce so this is one I'm making for sure
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, when you do Bintu please swing back by and let me know what you think!!
Claire@foodiequine says
What a fab guest post on your blog, it looks amazing and so tasty. I love Korean flavours and bowl food, so a definite thumbs up from me:-)
Bowl Me Over says
I know Claire, I'm so thrilled to have this recipe on my blog - how yummy!! Thanks for the two thumbs up!!! 😀
Diana says
These noodles look so appetising! I need to try black bean paste and probably make these noodles!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes - me too! What a yummy recipe Diana and I can't wait to give it a try!!
Julie says
This is perfect for your blog Debra! It would go with your teriyaki chicken bowl too. Great job Claire! You're a peach and an extraordinary chef!
Bowl Me Over says
Isn't it though? Claire did a wonderful job showcasing an amazing meal. She's made this meal so make-able for the ordinary home cook. These noodles look just luscious and so flavorful!
Liza says
Oh, I love this recipe! I love the bean paste: it's so naturally flavorful! And this dish is just making me drool!!!!! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
I love this too - I'm making it tomorrow night. Just delicious and so much big flavor - Thanks so much for all of your support Liza!!!
Claire says
Thank you, Debra <3
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Claire for sharing such an amazing recipes with my readers. This recipe is AMAZING!