Jjajangmyeon (Black Day)

About the dish

On Black Day, those who received neither chocolate nor candy eat jjajangmyeon — black-bean-sauce noodles. Born in Incheon's Chinatown and sweetened to Korean taste, it became a national comfort food tied to graduations and moving days.

Key ingredient

Wheat flour (milgaru) — a carbohydrate-and-gluten energy source with B vitamins and fiber; the base for noodles, dumplings and fritters. Early-summer crop, nationwide.

Ingredients

Main: wheat noodles, chunjang (black bean paste), pork, onion, cabbage, Korean squash, potato, cucumber · Seasoning: oil, sugar, minced garlic, starch slurry

Simple recipe

1. Fry the chunjang in oil to mellow it.
2. Dice and stir-fry pork, onion, potato and squash.
3. Add the fried chunjang and water and bring to a boil.
4. Thicken with starch slurry.
5. Spoon the sauce over boiled noodles.

▶ Watch recipe videos

A Glass · Traditional pairing