17 Chinese Fermented Soybean Paste Recipe Dive Into Deliciousness!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
Chinese fermented soybean paste, also known as doujiang, is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine. This savory and umami-packed condiment is made from a combination of soybeans, salt, and a fermenting agent. Its distinct flavor and aroma add depth and complexity to many dishes, making it a must-have in any Chinese kitchen. In this article, we will take a closer look at the traditional method of making Chinese fermented soybean paste and provide a step-by-step recipe for you to try at home.
Main Ingredients: Pork Skin, Scallions, Ginger, Napa Cabbage Leaves
Xiao Long Bao, also known as Shanghai Soup Dumplings, are a must-try for any beer can chicken lover. These delicate steamed dumplings are filled with a flavorful mix of minced pork, ginger, and spices, and are known for their signature juicy broth inside. They are the perfect appetizer or small dish to pair with your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
No beer can chicken feast is complete without a side of Chinese Spare Ribs. These tender and flavorful ribs are marinated in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey. They are then cooked to perfection on the grill or in the oven, creating a sticky and delicious glaze that pairs perfectly with your beer can chicken.
3of 20
Chinese Meat Sauce Noodles
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Cucumber, Ground Beef, Diced Onion, Dried
Also known as Zha Jiang Mian, Chinese Meat Sauce Noodles are a staple in Chinese cuisine. This dish features a rich and hearty sauce made with minced pork, fermented soybean paste, and vegetables that is served over a bed of chewy noodles. It's a comforting and satisfying dish that pairs perfectly with a cold beer and your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
4of 20
Chinese Fried Pork Liver with Sweet Soybean Paste
Main Ingredients: Pork Liver, Goji, Ginger, Minced Garlic, Cooking Wine
If you're feeling adventurous, Chinese Fried Pork Liver with Sweet Soybean Paste is a must-try dish. This dish features thinly sliced pork liver that is stir-fried with vegetables and a sweet and savory sauce made with fermented soybean paste. The result is a unique and delicious dish that pairs surprisingly well with beer can chicken.
5of 20
Chinese Braised Beef Shank (酱牛肉, Jiang Niu Rou)
Main Ingredients: Beef Shank, Shaoxing Wine, Green Onions, Ginger
For a heartier dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken, try Chinese Braised Beef Shank. This dish features tender beef shank that is braised in a rich and flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and Shaoxing wine. It's a satisfying and flavorful dish that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
6of 20
Zhajiangmian—Minced Pork Noodles
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Cucumber, Carrots, Scallion, Minced Pork
Zhajiangmian, also known as Minced Pork Noodles, is a classic Chinese comfort food that is perfect for a beer can chicken feast. This dish features thick wheat noodles that are topped with a rich and savory sauce made with minced pork, fermented soybean paste, and vegetables. It's a satisfying and flavorful dish that pairs well with any beer can chicken recipe.
7of 20
Beijing-style Noodles (Zha Jiang Mian)
Main Ingredients: Soybean Paste, Sweet Bean Paste, Dark Soy Sauce, Soy
Another variation of the popular Minced Pork Noodles is Beijing-style Noodles. This dish features the same thick wheat noodles but is topped with a lighter and sweeter sauce made with hoisin sauce, tianmianjiang (sweet bean sauce), and garlic. It's a flavorful and refreshing dish that pairs perfectly with a cold beer and your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
8of 20
Braised Pork Belly with Vermicelli Noodles & Napa...
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Ginger, Chinese Cooking Wine, Leek, Oil
For a more elegant and indulgent dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken, try Braised Pork Belly with Vermicelli Noodles & Napa Cabbage. This dish features tender pork belly that is braised in a rich and flavorful sauce made with fermented soybean paste and served over a bed of vermicelli noodles and crispy napa cabbage. It's a decadent and delicious dish that will impress your guests.
9of 20
Natasha
Main Ingredients: Soybean Paste, Soy Sauce, Sugar, Water, Oil, Chinese 5
Natasha is a delicious and refreshing Chinese salad that makes a great side dish for any beer can chicken recipe. It features a mix of fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, and bean sprouts, tossed in a tangy and spicy dressing made with rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili paste. It's a light and crisp dish that pairs well with the rich and bold flavors of beer can chicken.
10of 20
Chicken Stir Fry Vermicelli Noodles with Napa Cabbage...
Main Ingredients: Potato Starch Noodles, Dark Soy Sauce, Vegetable Oil
If you're looking for a quick and easy side dish to pair with your beer can chicken, look no further than Chicken Stir Fry Vermicelli Noodles with Napa Cabbage. This dish features thinly sliced chicken stir-fried with crunchy napa cabbage and chewy vermicelli noodles in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and ginger. It's a satisfying and delicious dish that can be made in under 30 minutes.
Main Ingredients: Noodle, Peanut Oil, Minced Garlic, Pork Butt, Sugar
Kwe Tiau Radna is a popular Thai dish that makes a great accompaniment to beer can chicken. This dish features wide, flat rice noodles stir-fried with crispy pork belly, broccoli, and carrots in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic. It's a satisfying and hearty dish that pairs well with any beer can chicken recipe.
12of 20
Non-spicy Version of “Kung Pao“ Jiang Pao Chicken...
Main Ingredients: Scallion, Ginger, Chinese Cooking Wine, Water, Chicken
For those who prefer a milder dish, Non-spicy Version of “Kung Pao“ Jiang Pao Chicken is a great option to serve alongside your beer can chicken. This dish features chunks of succulent chicken stir-fried with vegetables and crunchy peanuts in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey. It's a satisfying and delicious dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
13of 20
Korean Fermented Soybean Paste Soup with Shrimp
Main Ingredients: Asian Tiger Shrimp, Silken Tofu, Potatoes, Zucchini
Korean cuisine also offers some great options to serve alongside your beer can chicken, such as Korean Fermented Soybean Paste Soup with Shrimp. This light and flavorful soup features plump shrimp and crunchy vegetables simmered in a broth made with doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and gochujang (fermented chili paste). It's a satisfying and refreshing dish that pairs well with the bold flavors of beer can chicken.
14of 20
Ginger Chicken Stew with Fermented Soybean
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thigh, Garlic, Soybean Paste, Sugar, Ginger
If you're looking for a heartier dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken, give Ginger Chicken Stew with Fermented Soybean a try. This dish features tender chicken simmered in a rich and savory broth made with fermented soybean paste and aromatic ginger. It's a comforting and satisfying dish that pairs well with a cold beer and your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
15of 20
Korean Green Onion Fermented Soybean Paste (Doenjang)...
Main Ingredients: Chives, Soybean Paste, Red Chili Pepper Flakes
Korean Green Onion Fermented Soybean Paste, also known as pa-doenjang, is a classic side dish in Korean cuisine that is perfect for a beer can chicken feast. It features fresh green onions mixed with fermented soybean paste and spices to create a flavorful and aromatic condiment that pairs well with any beer can chicken recipe.
16of 20
Korean Spinach and Mussel Fermented Soybean Paste...
Main Ingredients: Spinach, Anchovies, Mussels, Water, Soybean Paste
Another delicious side dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken is Korean Spinach and Mussel Fermented Soybean Paste. It features blanched spinach and plump mussels mixed with a flavorful sauce made with fermented soybean paste and spices. It's a light and refreshing dish that adds a burst of flavor to your beer can chicken feast.
17of 20
Fried Egg In Chinese Soybean Paste
Main Ingredients: Soybean Paste, Green Peppers, Eggs, Green Onion
For a simple and satisfying side dish to serve with your beer can chicken, try Fried Egg In Chinese Soybean Paste. This dish features eggs cooked in a sweet and savory sauce made with fermented soybean paste, oyster sauce, and garlic. It's a quick and easy dish that adds a rich and flavorful element to your meal.
18of 20
Korean Spinach, the Rustic Version
Main Ingredients: Spinach, Soybean Paste, Korean Chili Paste, Garlic
Korean Spinach, also known as sigeumchi namul, is a simple and versatile side dish that pairs well with any beer can chicken recipe. It features blanched spinach tossed in a sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. It's a light and refreshing dish that adds a pop of color and healthy greens to your beer can chicken feast.
19of 20
Easy 15-Minute Miso Soup
Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Water, Soybean Paste, Soft Tofu, Dried
Miso Soup is a classic and delicious side dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken. This version is quick and easy to make, taking only 15 minutes to prepare. It features a flavorful broth made with miso paste, tofu, and seaweed, and is garnished with green onions for added flavor and color. It's a light and refreshing dish that pairs well with the bold flavors of beer can chicken.
20of 20
Chili Crab
Main Ingredients: Dungeness Crab, Coriander, Sugar, Tamarind Juice, Salt
For a decadent and indulgent side dish to serve alongside your beer can chicken, try Chili Crab. This dish is a signature dish in Singapore and features crab cooked in a spicy and sweet sauce made with chili paste, shaoxing wine, and ketchup. It's a rich and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with a cold beer and your favorite beer can chicken recipe.
What is Chinese Fermented Soybean Paste?
The History and Cultural Significance
Fermented soybean paste has a long history in China, dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). It was originally used as a way to preserve soybeans and has since become a fundamental ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Its popularity spread throughout East Asia and is now widely used in Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese dishes. In Chinese culture, fermented soybean paste symbolizes harmony and balance, as it is a perfect blend of salty, sweet, and umami flavors. It is also believed to have numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.
The Ingredients and Fermenting Process
The main ingredient in Chinese fermented soybean paste is, of course, soybeans. They are soaked in water for several hours, then boiled until soft. The cooked soybeans are then mixed with salt and a fermenting agent, typically a type of mold called Aspergillus oryzae. This mixture is then left to ferment for several days, allowing the mold to break down the proteins in the soybeans, creating a paste-like consistency and developing its signature flavor. Once the fermentation process is complete, the paste is ready to be used in various dishes.
The Traditional Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups dried soybeans
1 cup of salt
1 tablespoon of Aspergillus oryzae (also known as koji)
Instructions
Soak the soybeans in water for 8-10 hours or overnight.
Drain the soybeans and remove any excess water.
Spread the soybeans on a clean towel and let them air dry for about an hour.
Boil the soybeans in a large pot of water for 20-30 minutes, until they are soft and easily mashed.
Drain the soybeans and let them cool down.
Mash the soybeans into a paste using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.
Mix the salt and Aspergillus oryzae into the soybean paste until well combined.
Place the mixture into a clean, airtight jar and cover with a clean cloth.
Store the jar in a warm and dark place for 3-5 days, stirring the paste every day.
Once the paste is thick and has a pleasant aroma, it is ready to be used or stored in the refrigerator for up to a year.
How to Use Chinese Fermented Soybean Paste
Chinese fermented soybean paste can be used in a variety of dishes, from marinades and sauces to soups and stir-fries. It adds a rich and complex flavor to any dish and can be used as a substitute for salt or soy sauce. It is also a key ingredient in many traditional Chinese dishes, such as Mapo Tofu and Zhajiangmian.
Give this traditional recipe a try and elevate your Chinese cooking with the delicious and versatile fermented soybean paste!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chinese fermented soybean paste is a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine with a long history and cultural significance. Its unique flavor and health benefits make it a must-have in any Chinese kitchen. By following this traditional recipe, you can easily make your own fermented soybean paste at home and enjoy its deliciousness in a variety of dishes. So why not give it a try and add a touch of traditional Chinese flavor to your cooking?
