Chongqing Noodles (Xiao Mian/ Wan Za Mian)

Course: Noodles

Cuisine: Chinese

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Calories: 914kcal

Author: Marvellina

This Chongqing xiao mian (wan za mian) features chewy noodles tossed in a bold Sichuan sauce with spicy chili oil, savory meat topping, crunchy peanuts, and tangy pickled mustard greens.

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Ingredients

Meat topping:

120 g ground pork with some fat
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp fresh ginger minced/grated
1 tsp oyster sauce
1 Tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp sugar
1 Tbsp shaoxing wine

Seasonings:

50 g pickled mustard greens zachai, finely chopped
1 tsp chili powder more or less based on your preference
2 Tbsp roasted peanuts finely chopped
1 stalk green onion white and green parts separated, finely chopped
½ tsp Sichuan peppercorns
2 tsp white sesame seeds
5 Tbsp oil
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp black vinegar

Broth:

300 ml chicken broth or vegetable broth (store-bought or homemade)

Topping:

150 g canned chickpeas drained
Bok choy or other greens of your choice

Noodles:

200 g dried ramen noodles or 400 gr /14 oz fresh ramen noodles

Instructions

Prepare the meat topping:

Place the pork in a skillet (without oil) and use a spatula to break it up and let it cook over medium heat. The fat will render out slowly, this take about 7-10 minutes. The meat will have some charred spots and crisp edges.
Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry for about 3 minutes. Then splash in the shaoxing wine and scrape the brown bits from bottom of the skillet. This adds flavor to the meat. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar, and stir fry for another minute and then remove from the heat and set aside

Prepare the seasoning:

In a medium to large heat-proof bowl, add chopped pickled mustard greens, chili powder, roasted peanuts, white part of the green onion, Sichuan peppercorns, and white sesame seeds
Heat 5 Tbsp of oil until really hot. When you start smoke starts to rise, turn off the heat and very carefully pour the hot oil over the pickled mustard mixture. You will hear a sizzling sound. Let them "bloom" for about 5 minutes for maximum flavor.
Then add soy sauce, sesame oil, and black vinegar. Stir to mix everything

Assembling:

Cook the noodles according to the package instruction. Do not overcook. Rinse the noodles with cold water to remove extra starch and to stop the cooking process
Heat up the broth in a saucepan
Portion the cooked noodles into bowls. Drizzle the seasoning you prepared earlier. You may need 1-2 Tbsp (or more if you think you need more) for each portion. Toss the noodles with the seasonings to evenly coat the noodles. Portion the broth into each bowl. Portion the meat topping and chickpeas. Garnish with the green part of finely chopped green onion
Serve immediately

Nutrition