dau6 baan6 zoeng3豆瓣醬豆瓣酱

Jyutpingdau6 baan6 zoeng3

Yaledauh baahn jeung

Definition

Doubanjiang; a salty and spicy fermented broad bean paste used as a condiment.

colloquialfood

How it's used

Often referred to as the soul of Sichuan cuisine, this pungent paste is essential for achieving the signature savory depth in dishes like Mapo Tofu. It is significantly saltier and more complex than standard soy sauce, so it is usually added early in the cooking process to allow its flavors to bloom in hot oil.

Measure word

zeon1樽jēun

Examples

zyu2煮ni1呢go3個sung3餸gaa1加siu2少siu2少dau2豆faan6瓣zoeng3醬wui2會hou2好hoeng1香。

Adding a little doubanjiang when cooking this dish makes it very fragrant.

nei5你uk1屋kei2企zung6仲jau5有mou5冇dau6豆baan2瓣zoeng3醬aa4呀？

Do you still have any doubanjiang at home?

Common phrases

jat1一zeon1樽dau6豆baan2瓣zoeng3醬

a jar of doubanjiang

baau3爆hoeng1香dau6豆baan2瓣zoeng3醬

sauté doubanjiang until fragrant

Common mistake

Beginners often mistake it for a simple dipping sauce, but it is primarily a cooking ingredient meant to be stir-fried to release its aroma. Using too much can easily overpower a dish due to its intense saltiness.