Chef Lee Yeon-bok’s Black Bean Noodles (Jjajangmyeon) Upgrade
Easy Weekend Special: Homemade Jjajangmyeon Inspired by Chef Lee Yeon-bok
Packed with sweet, caramelized onions, this jjajangmyeon recipe elevates instant noodles to a gourmet level, tasting remarkably like ‘gan jjajang’ (dry-style black bean noodles). Adding tender pork makes this dish so satisfying, you’ll find the bowl empty in no time! Perfect for a special weekend treat.
Main Ingredients- 3 packs Jjajangmyeon noodles
- 2 medium onions
- 170g pork (your preferred cut)
Optional Toppings- Fried egg
- Red pepper flakes
- Fried egg
- Red pepper flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the onions and pork, which are key to the flavor of your jjajangmyeon. Slice the onions into 0.5cm thick strips or dice them into 1cm cubes for a pleasant texture when stir-fried. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces suitable for stir-frying.
Step 2
Heat a wide frying pan over medium heat. Add the oil packets that come with the jjajangmyeon (3 packets). If you don’t have enough or prefer not to use them, you can substitute with 1 tablespoon of brown rice oil. Add the sliced pork and stir-fry until it’s golden brown and no longer pink. Cooking the pork thoroughly is important to remove any gamey odor.
Step 3
Once the pork is nicely browned, add the sliced onions to the pan and stir-fry with the pork. When the onions begin to turn translucent, add both the black bean powder and dry garnish packets from the jjajangmyeon. Carefully pour in about 100ml of hot water from the noodle pot and stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4
Now, let’s achieve the perfect sauce consistency. Continue to stir-fry the mixture for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds, or until it reaches your desired thickness, similar to the ‘gan jjajang’ served in restaurants. Stirring prevents the sauce from burning and helps develop a deeper flavor.
Step 5
While the sauce is simmering to perfection, time your noodle cooking. For 3 servings of sauce, 3 noodle packs are standard, but if you find the sauce is abundant, 2 noodle packs are sufficient. Make sure to stir the noodles occasionally while boiling to prevent them from sticking together.
Step 6
Drain the cooked noodles thoroughly and place them in a serving bowl. Generously ladle the delicious, homemade jjajang sauce over the noodles. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, top with a fried egg and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes according to your preference. Your upgraded jjajangmyeon is ready to be enjoyed!
