Chenji Zhajiangmian (Chenji’s Noodles with Soybean Paste)

Chenji Zhajiangmian

　　“After trying so many, Chenji’s zhajiangmian is still the best”—the noodles are of just the right thickness, with an especially chewy texture; the soybean paste, needless to say, is made with quality ingredients, offering a unique flavor compared to those from the north; plus you can freely add pickled green beans, kelp, and cilantro—it’s truly delicious and affordable. The small wheat-flour pancakes are also “a major specialty of Wuhan.” The environment may be a bit lacking, but that doesn’t stop food lovers from flocking here—many have loved this place for years on end.

The main ingredients of zhajiangmian are noodles (made from refined flour), pork, and vegetables. Noodles are easy to digest and absorb, and offer benefits such as improving anemia, boosting immunity, and balancing nutrient intake. Pork contains rich high-quality protein and essential fatty acids, and provides heme iron (organic iron) and cysteine, which aids iron absorption, helping to improve iron-deficiency anemia; it has the effects of nourishing kidney and blood, as well as moisturizing yin and dryness; however, due to the relatively high cholesterol content in pork, it is not recommended for overweight individuals or those with high blood lipids to consume in large amounts.

It is very necessary to add plenty of vegetables as “noodle toppings” to make zhajiangmian a healthy meal. Otherwise, it tends to be high in salt, low in fiber, and lacking in vitamin C and potassium. The paste itself contains a good amount of protein and B vitamins, making it suitable to pair with flour.

Of course, it should be noted: since pork should not be eaten with dark plums, licorice, crucian carp, shrimp, pigeon meat, snails, almonds, donkey meat, lamb liver, cilantro, soft-shelled turtle, water chestnuts, buckwheat, quail meat, or beef, these ingredients should be avoided when making zhajiangmian. In addition, drinking large amounts of water after eating pork-based zhajiangmian is not advisable.