Zha Jiang Mian (Fried Sauce Noodles)

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground pork or beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 tablespoons sweet bean sauce or hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons yellow soybean paste (or more hoisin sauce if unavailable)
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup water or chicken stock
• 16 oz (450g) fresh wheat noodles
• 1 cucumber, julienned
• 1 carrot, julienned
• Bean sprouts (optional)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)