‘Jaa Jaa Men’ is a Japanese dish. It is the adapted version of a Chinese dish that is cooked with Chinese fermented soybean paste. In Japan where I grew up, people cook it using commonly available Miso and Soy Sauce. You have Miso and Soy Sauce? Then you can try this dish.

Makes

2 Servings

Ingredients

2 servings Ramen Noodles OR Chinese Egg Noodles
1 leaf Iceberg Lettuce
5cm Cucumber *see ‘How To Cut Cucumber Into Thin Strips’
2 Spring Onions
250g Pork Mince *OR Chicken Mince
1 clove Garlic *finely chopped
1 small piece Ginger *finely chopped
2 to 3 Shiitake *finely chopped
50g Bamboo Shoot *finely chopped
1 teaspoon Sesame Oil

Sauce
1 tablespoon Sugar
1 & 1/2 tablespoons Miso *dark colour Miso is recommended
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/2 cup Chicken Stock *OR 1/2 cup Water & 1/2 teaspoon Asian Chicken Bouillon Powder
1 teaspoon Toban Djan (Chili Bean Sauce) *OR Chilli Flakes as required
1/2 tablespoon Potato Starch

Method
  1. Combine all the Sauce ingredients in a measuring jug OR small bowl. *Note: Alter the amount of Miso to suit your taste.
  2. Chop up lighter colour parts of Spring Onion finely. You will cook it with Pork Mince. Cut green parts of Spring Onion, Lettuce and Cucumber into thin strips, mix them, and put them aside. They will be used as toppings.
  3. Heat Sesame Oil in a frying pan, and cook Pork Mince, Garlic and Ginger. When Pork changed colour, add lighter colour Spring Onion, Shiitake and Bamboo Shoot, and stir for a few minutes. Stir the Sauce well, then add it to the pan. Cook until the sauce is thickened.
  4. Cook Ramen Noodles as instructed, and drain well. You can rinse under cold water if you prefer the noodles cold. Place Ramen Noodles in a serving bowl, cover with the pork mixture, place some Lettuce, Cucumber and Spring Onion on top, and serve.