Tianmian sauce

Chinese condiment made from fermented wheat flour

Tianmian sauce (Chinese: 甜面酱; pinyin: tiánmiàn jiàng ), also known as sweet bean sauce, is a thick, dark brown or black paste made from fermented wheat flour. It is a staple condiment in Chinese cuisine, particularly in Beijing cuisine, and is used in a variety of dishes for its rich, umami flavor.

Production

Tianmian sauce is traditionally made by fermenting wheat flour with a small amount of soybeans. The fermentation process can take several months, during which the mixture develops its characteristic sweet and savory flavor. The sauce is then ground into a smooth paste and sometimes mixed with additional ingredients such as sugar or salt to enhance its taste.

Culinary Uses

Tianmian sauce is a versatile ingredient used in many Chinese dishes. It is a key component in the preparation of Peking duck, where it is spread on thin pancakes along with sliced duck, scallions, and cucumber.

Peking duck wrap with tianmian sauce

In addition to Peking duck, tianmian sauce is also used in zhajiangmian, a popular noodle dish from northern China. The sauce is mixed with ground pork and served over wheat noodles, often garnished with fresh vegetables.

Zhajiangmian with tianmian sauce

Regional Variations

While tianmian sauce is most commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, it has also influenced other Asian cuisines. In Korean cuisine, a similar sauce known as chunjang is used in dishes like jajangmyeon, a noodle dish with a black bean sauce.

Chunjang, a Korean variation of tianmian sauce

Jajangmyeon, a Korean dish using chunjang

Related Dishes

• Peking duck
• Zhajiangmian
• Jajangmyeon
• Korean Chinese fried rice

Korean Chinese fried rice with tianmian sauce

Related Pages

• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Fermented bean paste

See Also

• Chinese cuisine
• Korean cuisine