By Flavor & The Menu
May 6, 2021

Andrew Lim

Perilla’s contribution to the global canon of signature noodle dishes is the traditional Korean JJ Noodles, built on an irresistible sauce, featuring rendered pork belly fat, along with crispy pork belly sautéed with onions, potatoes and zucchini. It’s seasoned with sesame oil, soy sauce and fermented black bean paste and thickened with potato starch to ensure “stick-to-your-ribs unctuousness,” says Andrew Lim, Executive Chef of this Korean-American concept.

“The sauce is rich, and its flavors are well rounded, with lots of umami, plus saltiness, acidity and funk.” Fresh noodles are simply blanched, and the sauce is added over top with a garnish of toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions.

The aroma alone activates the salivary glands, says Lim. “You can’t wait to dive headfirst into this bowl of deliciousness. For those who grew up eating JJ Noodles, it’s a dish that’s nostalgic, fun to eat and leaves half your face covered in sauce.”