
Amazon does not sell non-spicy broad bean paste, but Walmart and Weee! sells it (please let me know if you find this brand online). The color is brown and no sign of red chili in there. Non-Spicy Doubanjiang – A Taiwanese Lian How brand of doubanjiang is NOT spicy.This is a popular brand in China and you can buy it from The Mala Market. For an authentic Sichuan taste that has great depth of flavor and spiciness, you can look for Pixian Doubanjiang (郫縣豆瓣), named after the town of Pixian in Sichuan province. However, their Chili Bean Sauce (Toban Djan) is not as fragrant and umami-packed. Another widely available brand is the Lee Kum Kee brand.

Spicy Doubanjiang (La Doubanjiang) – I personally use the Taiwanese Lian How (岡山) or Ming De (明徳) brand which has a milder heat level compared to the Sichuan brand.You can find doubanjiang in most Japanese and Asian grocery stores or online. Tsukemen Where to Buy & Recommended Brands Yes, there is a Japanese brand that carries gluten-free doubanjiang. You should be able to tell by the color of the paste/sauce. If you see 辣 in front of 豆板醤, then that’s the spicy one. So look for the Chinese character on the label. It can be confusing when choosing doubanjiang as the English translation is very different from brand to brand. There is also a non-spicy doubanjiang (豆板醤), which has a dark color without any signs of red chili ( click here to read more).

Take note that different brands will have different heat levels and the umami profile is subject to the fermentation period. The spicy fermented bean sauce not only adds a great punch of savory flavor but also lends heat to the sauce and an enticing red color to the dishes! It really has the perfect mix of spicy and salty flavors. You’ll also find doubanjiang being referred to as spicy bean sauce, spicy broad bean paste, toban-djan, or broad bean chili sauce. When we say doubanjiang, it is typically referred to the spicy version called La Doubanjiang, written as 辣豆瓣酱 in Chinese. Black bean sauce is another condiment that is very similar but is made from fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and Chinese vinegar. Is doubanjiang the same as black bean sauce?Īlthough the non-spicy doubanjiang (豆瓣酱) is sometimes called fermented black bean paste, it is different from black bean sauce.

For Japanese cooking, we use doubanjiang for chuka ryori (Japanese-Chinese cuisine), particularly in Sichuan-inspired dishes like mapo tofu, ramen dishes, and more. Made from fermented broad beans, soybeans, salt, rice, and various spices, doubanjiang (豆瓣酱) is a salty paste that is the backbone for Sichuan (Szechuan) style Chinese cooking. Our popular Mapo Tofu recipe What is Doubanjiang?
