At the table
Ask for dry or soup noodles and your preferred chili level before preparation. Mix from the bottom so the sauce coats the noodles; take small bites while hot.
Contains wheat and soy; some versions also contain sesame. Chili levels vary, and reducing chili does not remove every source of heat.
Dry and soup versions, pork and beef sauces exist. This pork version uses rapeseed oil, cooking wine, light and dark soy sauce, chili-bean paste, sweet wheat sauce, sugar, salt, MSG, starch, preserved mustard greens, scallion and water spinach. Sesame oil or paste, lard and aromatic spices may be added. Peas are a separate variation.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Dry and soup versions, pork and beef sauces exist. This pork version uses rapeseed oil, cooking wine, light and dark soy sauce, chili-bean paste, sweet wheat sauce, sugar, salt, MSG, starch, preserved mustard greens, scallion and water spinach. Sesame oil or paste, lard and aromatic spices may be added. Peas are a separate variation.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Savory, chili-hot and peppercorn-tingly, with fermented bean-sauce depth.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Springy noodles, tender crumbled pork and soft greens.
- How it’s made
- Pork is fried with ginger, garlic and bean sauces, then simmered; cooked noodles and greens are dressed with the meat sauce and seasonings.
Dry and soup versions, pork and beef sauces exist. This pork version uses rapeseed oil, cooking wine, light and dark soy sauce, chili-bean paste, sweet wheat sauce, sugar, salt, MSG, starch, preserved mustard greens, scallion and water spinach. Sesame oil or paste, lard and aromatic spices may be added. Peas are a separate variation.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Chongqing.
About this regional connection
Chongqing: Wanzhou local meat-sauce noodle preparation and nightfood.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有万州杂酱面吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A Wanzhou noodle-shop staple
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
In Wanzhou, meat-sauce noodles belong to everyday noodle-shop meals and the local late-night eating tradition. Dry and soup bowls offer different ways to enjoy the seasoned meat sauce; the dry style emphasizes coating each strand.
