Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles

Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles

6 servings
Ming Tsai's weeknight-friendly dish combines ground pork with a deeply flavorful sauce that gets a kick of heat from Thai chiles, sweetness from hoisin sauce, and salty umami from fermented black beans. He then tosses it with a tangle of Chinese egg noodles for a satisfying meal that comes together in just 40 minutes.

Ingredients

  • vegetable oil
    3 tbsp
  • ground pork
    1 lb
  • thai chiles

    minced

    2
  • red onion

    finely chopped

    1 medium
  • minced fresh ginger
    1 tbsp
  • minced garlic
    1 tbsp
  • chinese fermented black beans

    rinsed and chopped

    1 tbsp
  • hoisin sauce
    ⅓ c
  • shao-hsing rice wine or dry sherry
    ½ c
  • chicken stock or low-sodium broth
    1 c
  • scallion

    thinly sliced

    1 large
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • black pepper
  • fresh or dried chinese egg noodles
    1 lb

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil. Add the ground pork and cook over high heat, breaking up the meat, until it is browned, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked pork to a plate. Add the chiles, onion, ginger, garlic, and black beans to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the hoisin sauce and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the rice wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and pork and simmer until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add the scallion and season with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles until tender, 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness. Drain the noodles. Add them to the skillet and toss well to thoroughly coat them with the sauce. Transfer to a large, shallow bowl and serve.

Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles

Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles

25 min6 servings480 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a weeknight meal that’s both vibrant and satisfying, without spending hours in the kitchen? This Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles recipe delivers, combining robust flavors with the convenience you need on busy evenings. You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together, offering a delicious escape from routine.

Why This Recipe Works

What makes this Ming Tsai-inspired dish stand out is its masterful balance of flavors and efficient preparation. The secret lies in building a deeply savory base with ground pork, then layering in the complexity of fermented black beans and the aromatic kick of minced Thai chiles. This creates a sauce that perfectly coats bouncy Chinese egg noodles, ensuring every bite is packed with sweet, spicy, and umami notes.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly engaging culinary experience where tender ground pork meets a dynamic sauce. You'll find a delightful interplay of sweetness from hoisin, a profound salty depth from the fermented black beans, and a building warmth from the Thai chiles that excites the palate without overwhelming it. The texture is a comforting tangle of springy Chinese egg noodles, enveloped in the rich, glossy sauce. This dish is designed to be a substantial and incredibly flavorful dinner, yielding 6 generous servings at around 480 calories each, making it a perfect family-friendly option.

Customization & Variations

While the recipe is fantastic as written, you can easily tailor it to your preferences. For those who prefer less heat, simply reduce the number of minced Thai chiles or omit them entirely. If you don't have shao-hsing rice wine on hand, dry sherry is an excellent and readily available substitute that provides a similar depth. This versatility ensures you can enjoy this dish exactly how you like it.

Serving & Context

This Sweet and Spicy Pork Noodles recipe is an ideal choice for a quick yet impressive weeknight dinner, perfect for sharing with family or friends. Serve it hot, garnished with a sprinkle of thinly sliced scallions, to add a fresh, bright counterpoint to the rich sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions