Best Black Bean Sauce Recipes

This might be the most popular noodle dish in Korea. I don't know what it is, but there is something about these black noodles that everyone loves, young and old alike. Parents often take their kids out for jajangmyeon on special occasions, such as graduation, last day of school, birthdays, etc. As such, it is a dish that is deeply embedded in most Koreans' childhood memories. If you have the Korean black bean paste called chunjang, this dish is very easy to make at home. The black bean paste is first fried in oil. This process helps remove the bitter taste of the bean paste. The fried (or roasted) black bean paste is called jjajang. You can buy either one from most Korean markets. A little bit of sugar is important to balance out the bitterness and saltiness of the black bean paste. Pork is the classic option for the meat, but of course you can substitute it with any meat or seafood.

Black bean sauce is made from fermented black soybean mash and can be found at most Asian markets. It has a delicious savory flavor and coats the other ingredients very nicely.