Zhajiangmian, or Fried Sauce Noodles, is a beloved dish in Chinese cuisine known for its rich, savory sauce and fresh toppings. This recipe combines ground pork with a flavorful mix of soybean paste, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. The addition of julienned cucumber and carrot adds a refreshing crunch, making it a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Some of the ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every household. Soybean paste is a fermented bean paste that adds a deep umami flavor to the dish. Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce made from soybeans, garlic, and various spices. Both of these can typically be found in the Asian section of your supermarket. Make sure to check the labels to ensure you are getting the right products.

Ingredients For Fried Sauce Noodles Recipe
Noodles: The base of the dish, providing a chewy texture that pairs well with the sauce.
Ground pork: Adds a rich, meaty flavor and protein to the dish.
Soybean paste: A fermented paste that gives the sauce its deep, umami flavor.
Hoisin sauce: A sweet and savory sauce that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Soy sauce: Adds saltiness and depth to the sauce.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor.
Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note to the dish.
Chicken broth: Helps to thin out the sauce and adds a savory base.
Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.
Cucumber: Adds a refreshing crunch as a garnish.
Carrot: Provides a sweet, crisp contrast to the savory sauce.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When stir-frying the garlic and ginger, make sure to keep the heat at medium to avoid burning them. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. Stir constantly and watch for a golden-brown color, which indicates they are perfectly fragrant and ready for the next step.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
fresh or dried noodles - Substitute with spaghetti: Spaghetti has a similar texture and can hold the sauce well, making it a good alternative.
ground pork - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and absorbs flavors similarly to ground pork.
soybean paste - Substitute with miso paste: Miso paste has a similar umami flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce has a similar sweetness and thickness, making it a good alternative.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free option with a similar salty and umami flavor.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.
minced ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in smaller quantities to provide a similar flavor profile.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good vegetarian option that still adds depth of flavor.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
julienned cucumber - Substitute with julienned zucchini: Julienned zucchini has a similar texture and can add a fresh element to the dish.
julienned carrot - Substitute with julienned bell pepper: Julienned bell pepper adds a sweet crunch and vibrant color to the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the noodles and sauce to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the noodles soggy.
Store the noodles and sauce separately to maintain the best texture. Place the noodles in an airtight container and the sauce in another.
For the noodles, drizzle a small amount of vegetable oil over them and toss to coat. This prevents them from sticking together.
Transfer the sauce to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure to leave some space at the top to allow for expansion if freezing.
Label the containers with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long they have been stored.
Store the noodles and sauce in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
When freezing, use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible from the bags to prevent freezer burn.
To reheat, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Heat it in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a simmer.
Reheat the noodles by briefly boiling them in water or microwaving them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Combine the reheated sauce and noodles, and garnish with fresh julienned cucumber and carrot before serving.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of vegetable oil or a few tablespoons of chicken broth to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover fried sauce noodles and stir occasionally.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the noodles are heated through.
- If the sauce has thickened too much, add a bit more chicken broth to loosen it up.
Microwave Method:
- Place the fried sauce noodles in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to keep the noodles moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir the noodles and microwave for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the fried sauce noodles in an oven-safe dish.
- Add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to keep the noodles from drying out.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the noodles are hot.
Steamer Method:
- Place the fried sauce noodles in a heatproof dish.
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water.
- Place the dish in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 10 minutes or until the noodles are heated through.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Wok: A versatile cooking vessel used for stir-frying the garlic, ginger, and ground pork.
Pot: Used for boiling the noodles according to the package instructions.
Strainer: Essential for draining the cooked noodles.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients in the wok.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the soybean paste, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and vegetable oil.
Knife: Used for mincing the garlic and ginger, and julienning the cucumber and carrot.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Mixing bowl: Useful for holding the julienned cucumber and carrot until ready to serve.
Ladle: Handy for pouring the chicken broth into the wok.
Tongs: Useful for handling the noodles and mixing them with the sauce.
Serving bowls: Used for serving the finished dish.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Pre-cook the noodles: Cook the noodles in advance and store them in the fridge. This way, you can quickly reheat them when ready to serve.
Prep ingredients ahead: Mince the garlic and ginger, and julienne the cucumber and carrot ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers.
Use a food processor: Speed up the mincing of garlic and ginger by using a food processor.
Double the sauce: Make a double batch of the sauce and freeze half for future use. This saves time on busy days.
One-pot method: Cook the sauce and noodles in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.

Fried Sauce Noodles Recipe (Zhajiangmian)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 400 g Noodles fresh or dried
- 200 g Ground Pork
- 2 tablespoon Soybean Paste
- 1 tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Ginger minced
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup Cucumber julienned
- 1 cup Carrot julienned
Instructions
- 1. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and stir-fry until fragrant.
- 3. Add the ground pork and cook until browned.
- 4. Stir in the soybean paste, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- 5. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- 6. Serve the sauce over the cooked noodles. Garnish with julienned cucumber and carrot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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