Affectionately referred to as “Chinese Bolognese”, the proper name for this tasty, super quick Chinese Pork Mince with Noodles is “Za Jiang Mian”. The sauce is classic Chinese flavours – savoury with a hint of sweet, and a subtle kick of chilli (or more if you like!). One bite, and you’ll be as addicted as I am!
I just had this for breakfast.
Really. It’s Wednesday morning, Sydney is “suffering” through a heatwave (35C / 95F). And while normal people are having a cold healthy smoothie or a bowl of fresh fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, I heated up a bowl of hot spicy Chinese noodles.
It’s my Japanese upbringing!! In Japan, cereal and toast are virtually unheard of for breakfast, except at hotels that cater for Western tourists. Traditional breakfasts in Japan, even in most households today (at least, my relatives), is like a mini dinner. Almost always with some form of protein – quite often fish.
This is a holiday snap of a typical breakfast that we’re served in Japan when we stay with relatives. It’s like a dinner spread! Fish, sticky rice, tempura, salad, miso soup…
(Yes, it’s a low table where we sit on the floor 🙂 )
(Yes, that’s a clear plastic cover on the table. Everybody together, say “That’s sooooo Asian!”)
I was undecided up until this very minute whether I would join my family for a trip to Japan next month. I’m definitely going! I need my Japanese food fix! (Err, yes, and of course, to spend time with my relatives) (And skiing 😉 )
Off track here – I’m not even sharing a Japanese dish today (my mother rules that domain now on her blog RecipeTin JAPAN). I was just trying to explain / justify why I was having hot spicy Chinese noodles for breakfast. During a heatwave, no less.😅
This Chinese Pork and Noodles is affectionally known as “Chinese Bolognese”. And looking at the photos, it’s clear why that is. But the flavour couldn’t be any different! Though your eyes might be seeing a spaghetti-type dish, the minute you take a bite, it’s Chinese through and through. It doesn’t look as saucy as Bolognese but the pork has more flavour which mixes through the noodles when you dig in.
There are a handful of ingredients in this Chinese Pork Mince and Noodles recipe that needs to be sourced from Asian grocery stores. Being Chilli Bean Sauce (top in photo below) and Sweet Sauce (bottom jar). Which, as the names imply, are spicy and sweet. 🙂
However, don’t despair if you can’t find these! These sauces are great because they have complex flavours so you just need these, but there are easy substitutions using ingredients you can get from supermarkets here in Australia. I made a small batch for lunch using ALL the substitutions (which I’ve never done before, usually I substitute one or two but not all!) and in all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people actually preferred the version made using the substitutions!
PS I also included these in the recipe video below so you can see the consistency better.
The Chilli Sauce served with this is a fairly essential part of the overall experience. Chinese Chilli Sauce is not just chilli, it’s got other flavourings as well. This is the brand I use – I have referred many friends to this. It was recommended to me by an Asian grocery store, and it’s the best I’ve ever had. Use it for everything and anything you want to add a chilli kick too (well, at least anything Asian!). It’s great for dipping sauces, dolloping and adding to stir fries.
But if you can’t find it or another Asian chilli sauce, don’t worry, there are a handful of substitutions in the recipe for you!
Australia! I know we’re in the height of summer….but you know what? Most of Asia is always in a heatwave. And have you ever noticed that the hotter the climate, the spicier the food?? South America, Africa, Caribbean, Creole, and of course, Asia! There’s a theory that spicy food helps us keep cool. Whether it’s because it makes you sweat which then feels cool as it evaporates (icky talk I know!) or there’s also science around it too – nerves on our tongues that identify spicy foods and cause our bodies to react by cooling down.
Regardless, I’ve never let the weather dictate what I eat. Bring on summer and spicy foods!!!! – Nagi x
MORE QUICK GROUND PORK / PORK MINCE RECIPES
-
San Choy Bow (Chinese Lettuce Cups)
-
Egg Foo Young (Chinese Omelette with Pork)
PS This is how to eat it: serve it like old school Bolognese with the pork on top of the noodles. Then mix it all up. To optimise experience – because it’s really hard even for me who is more comfortable with chopsticks than with a knife and fork – use a spoon so you can get a mouthful of pork AND noodles!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Chinese Pork with Noodles ("Chinese Bolognese")
Ingredients
Noodles
- 700 - 800 g / 1.4 - 1.6 lb white noodles (flour noodles), fresh (Note 1)
- 2 tsp vegetable oil*
- 2 tsp Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang vinegar)* (Note 2)
Sauce
- 1/3 cup chicken stock / broth
- 1 tbsp Chilli Bean Sauce (Note 3)
- 1 tbsp Chinese Sweet Bean Sauce (Note 4)
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce (Note 5)
- 2 tsp Chinese black vinegar (Chinkiang vinegar)* (Note 2)
- 1 tsp sugar (white or brown)
Stir Fry
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 1/2 tsp ginger , minced or finely chopped
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped (white, brown or yellow)
- 400 g / 14 oz minced pork (ground pork)
To Serve
- 2 cucumbers , cut into batons (deseed if you can be bothered, I don't!)
- Chinese chilli sauce (Note 6)
- Coriander / cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Mix Sauce ingredients together.
- Prepare noodles according to packet directions. If it says to soak the noodles, you can do that while cooking the stir fry.
- Optional: Just before serving, toss the noodles with oil and vinegar.*
- Heat oil in a wok or skillet over medium high heat. Add onions and cook for 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute or until onion is translucent.
- Add pork and cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned.
- Add sauce and cook for 3 - 5 minutes, or until most of the sauce has reduced.
- Divide noodles between bowls. Top with pork, coriander and fresh cucumbers on the side.
- To eat, mix up the noodles and pork. I use chopsticks and a spoon - so it's easier to get the pork and noodles in one mouthful. Don't hold back on the chilli paste! It goes great with this dish!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
LIFE OF DOZER
He can hear me just fine. Like most males, he has selective hearing. Especially on hot days like today!
Simple and delish. Family loved it!
The first recipe I found of yours and now I make it fornightly! Often instead of meat I make a veg version with lentils, carrot and celery.
I made this with all the substitutions, and egg noodles. WOW so much flavour! This will be on rotation in our house.
I just cook this today. Since I’m vegetarian, I replaced the mince pork with scrambled hard tofu. It’s so delicious. Thanks Nagi.
Very nice, I substituted 2 ingredients, admit I guessed the amounts so sprinkled some Maggie seasoning to balance, only had 400 g noodles, will def have 800 next time, loved the sauce so will double it Thanks Nagi!
Oh sooo what I need…loved the idea of spaghetti bolognese but not all the tomato paste etc…never been able to find a recipe without….I also much prefer noodles…This is just perfect….Thank you so much ❣
My sister introduced me to this recipe & I love it! Quick & easy but packs in so much flavour. It’s become a staple in my house and I find myself craving it. Thankyou Nagi for sharing this.
Oh my day’s… how did I not find this before?!?!
Firm favourite moving forward , thank you!!
Woo hoo Mel! That’s great – I’m glad you liked it! N x
Made this last night and used the suggested swap outs for the hard to find items. It was very good, amazed how well the flavours came together in this comforting noodle dish. I appreciate the swap ideas, we live in a small town so getting chilli bean paste etc. is tricky. Thanks Nagi
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jacquie! N x
Yep, lockdown has done it again. I used to frequent the Asian stores of which i have 3 to choose from ( no i’m not a stalker lol) SO, i used hokkien noodles instead and was beautiful xx
Glad you liked it! I have missed browsing my fave shops as well! N x
I made this tonight. We managed to get all the sauce ingredients including the noodles from our local asian store except for chinese chilli sauce to add to the final dish so we used sambal instead & it was amazing. So quick & easy to prepare & cook. Thanks again Nagi.
I love this dish and I especially love your version of this dish. It’s a family favourite. I’ve struggled to get the right noodles for this in lockdown but I managed to source them yesterday. I bought extra so I can make it again soon. The kids are very excited but not as excited as me.
I’ve made this once before and now again. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! I can’t eat a lot of carbs so I eat it with riced cauliflower. Thanks so much for ALL your recipes!!! Thanks Nagi!! (HI DOZER!!)
Best noodle ever! Thank you Nagi. I made these last week and am cooking them again. Lovely combination of flavours with the noodles.
Fantastic! Very authentic tasting and super easy to make and enjoy for a quick hearty meal. I made it for a potluck for my Chinese relatives and they loved it! I like to combine hoisin sauce with the sweet sauce for a slightly sweeter flavour ( my sweet sauce isn’t that sweet). Thanks for all your delicious recipes. I appreciate your pre testing as I’ve made a lot of online recipes from that have not been well tested.
Thanks so much Sandy, I really appreciate the feedback and I’m so glad you loved it! N x
Soooo flippin tasty!!!! All substitutes used as it’s what I had in. Substituted some bean sprouts for noodles, added bamboo and water chestnuts which gave it a lovely crunch. Try try try!!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Amanda! N x
Amazing recipe. Swapped all the sauce ingredients and it was absolutely amazing
Nagi, I love all of your recipes but this one is a favorite. I’ve made it so many times and keep coming back to it. Thank you.
Hi Nagi, made it for dinner tonight. Another winner 😋
Woot!! Thanks May ❤️
We’re going to try this asap! We lived in Sydney for a few years and the kids have been missing this dish so much! We’re also looking for recipes for a sticky kind of sweet eggplant dish and garlicy cucumber. Do you know What I medan? <3
Try it try it! 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi, Was wondering if I could use the Chilli Paste in soybean oil instead of the Chilli paste as the one I have you can only buy from Asian shops . Cheers
Yes you can!! N xx