Zhajiang Noodles – what it is, how to enjoy, and famous restaurants in Beijing

Zhajiang noodles, or noodles with soybean paste, are among the most famous in China and especially popular in Beijing. Streaky pork cubes are stir-fried with savory soy sauce and then served with noodles and various seasonable vegetables, like cucumbers, carrots, and bean sprouts. It is Beijing residents’ most familiar food, just like potatoes to the British and burgers to the Americans, and almost every family has their own special recipes.

How to enjoy

In most restaurants, the paste, vegetables, and noodles are served separately, the sauce in a small bowl, the different vegetables in independent compartments, and the noodles in a large bowl. You need to put the paste and the vegetables into the large bowl and then stir thoroughly so that every noodle is perfectly combined with the paste and the vegetables are distributed evenly.

Some restaurants would also serve you a bowl of soup, which is actually the water that boils the noodles. In China, we believe it can help you better digest the food.

Famous restaurants in Beijing

In Beijing, nearly every restaurant serves Zhajiang noodles, and most of them, especially those small ones on the street, do a great job. After considering the locations, services, and ratings in an App specializing in customers’ reviews, we recommend you the following restaurants, hoping they can bring you a wonderful dining experience.