Korean Black Bean Noodles

How to make Korean Black Been Noodles

First things first, mince and marinade pork belly

Using my Kenwood stand mixer and multi food grinder attachment, I minced my own pork belly.

Then I marinaded my pork belly with spicy pork marinade. If you dont like spicy you can skip this part. Usually I dont marinade my pork belly, but instead I add korean red pepper flakes to the sauce near the end and apple vinegar when I cook my vegetables. But I found by marinading it with this spicy sauce it makes it extra tasty.

Next I washed and prepared my vegetables;
onions, potatoes, eggplant and garlic.
Dice the eggplant, onions & potatoes to similar size, then mince the garlic.

Pop the diced potatoes and eggplant into a large enough pot (depending on how much you are making) together with some oil (I use peanut oil)

Cook for about 5 minutes remembering to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot, this step will help develop flavour and cook your potatoes/eggplants quicker.

Add your minced garlic and stir for 1 min

Add your marinaded pork belly and mix through til brown

Next add some Korean black bean paste and stir through.

As you have probably noticed I didn't give out any measurements because I don't actually measure when I cook, except for when I bake.

How I determine how much black bean paste to use is I add and mix it through til it is just evenly coated a nice black colour.
Then I add a little more.
Don't worry, you will be tasting it and adjusting it later

Next add your diced onions and stir through

Add enough water to cover for boil; add chicken stock instead if you did not use the spicy pork marinade.
If you dont have stock, water is still fine.

Bring it to a boil then lower the heat to simmer for 10-20mins until slightly thick or til your potatoes are cooked (best soft with a little bite)

Remember to stir, taste and adjust the sauce while it is simmering.
Add water if too salty, add bean paste if flavour is not strong.
But remember as you reduce the sauce, the flavour will become a little stronger.

Oh just one moment, Soju is calling and is asking what is taking so long.

Next boil a pot of water to cook your noodles in.
Best to use fresh noodles. It only takes 60-90 second to cook.

Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Then drain again.

Now you are ready to plate up.

Place noodles into a bowl and cover with black bean sauce.
Garnish with pickled radish; or in my case since I didn't have any, I garnished with homemade pickled garlic steems

Lastly, mix and enjoy.