FoodHopp

Name: Authentic Zhajiangmian (Beijing-Style Noodles with Soybean Paste)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: China
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh thick wheat noodles (or 8 oz dried thick wheat noodles like Shanghai thick noodles or lo mein noodles); 8 oz ground pork (20% fat); 1/2 cup sweet fermented soybean paste (Tianmianjiang); 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce; 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine; 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (for color, optional); 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1/2 cup water or chicken stock; 2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 inch ginger, minced; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 1/2 cup cucumber, julienned; 1/2 cup daikon radish or carrot, julienned; 1/2 cup scallions, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts (optional)