Soft and Savory Jjajangmyeon (Uni Jjajang)
Uni Jjajang: A Delicious Blend of Ground Pork and Diverse Vegetables! Cucumber and Fried Egg Are Must-Haves!
Have you heard of Uni Jjajang? It’s a delightful variation of Jjajangmyeon made with finely ground pork and a medley of finely chopped vegetables, all simmered in a rich jjajang sauce. The key difference is that the ingredients in Uni Jjajang are cut much smaller than in traditional Jjajang, making it exceptionally enjoyable to mix with rice. Today, I’ve prepared this comforting Uni Jjajang using ground pork and whatever vegetables I had in my fridge! Don’t forget to serve it with thinly sliced cucumber and a perfectly fried egg – they are the ultimate partners that elevate the flavor of Uni Jjajang to a whole new level.
Ingredients for Uni Jjajang- 1/2 cup Jjajang sauce
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 cup Ground pork (about 150-200g)
- 1/2 Onion
- 5cm Carrot
- 10cm White part of green onion
- 20 stalks Chives
- 4 pinches Salt (for seasoning)
- 4 pinches Black pepper (for marinating pork)
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the jjajang sauce and water. Typically, mixing the jjajang sauce and water in a 1:1 ratio creates a jjajang sauce with a pleasant consistency and delicious flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of water according to your preference.
Step 2
The secret to Uni Jjajang lies in its finely minced vegetables! Take 10cm of the white part of a green onion, 20 stalks of chives, half an onion, and a 5cm piece of carrot. Chop these vegetables as finely as possible, almost to a paste-like consistency, to achieve the smooth texture characteristic of Uni Jjajang. Using a food processor can make this step much easier.
Step 3
Heat a pan with a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the ground pork (1 cup) and minced garlic (1/2 Tbsp). Season with 2 pinches of salt and 2 pinches of black pepper to remove any porky smell and to lightly marinate the meat. Break apart any clumps of pork with chopsticks or a spatula as you stir-fry. It’s best to cook the pork over medium heat until its surface is browned.
Step 4
Once the pork is mostly cooked, add all the finely minced green onion, onion, carrot, and chives. Season the vegetables with 2 more pinches of salt and 2 pinches of black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients and sauté until the vegetables are softened and aromatic. Cooking the vegetables until they release their fragrance will deepen the flavor of the jjajang.
Step 5
When the pork and vegetables are fully cooked, pour in the prepared jjajang sauce and water. Stir continuously to ensure the sauce is evenly distributed and doesn’t clump, allowing it to simmer. Cooking over low heat will help the sauce thicken and develop a richer flavor. Let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes.
Step 6
And there you have it – your delicious Uni Jjajang, made with finely ground pork, minced vegetables, and savory jjajang sauce! It’s incredibly satisfying served generously over a bowl of freshly cooked hot rice. For an even more delightful experience, pair it with some crisp, thinly sliced cucumber and a silky soft-boiled egg. The unique soft texture and rich flavor of Uni Jjajang will be truly enhanced. Each spoonful offers a harmonious blend of meat and vegetables, making it a nutritionally balanced and incredibly delicious meal. Enjoy!
