Easy Dan Dan Noodles

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Dan dan noodles are a popular noodle dish sold at dumpling restaurants and noodle shops worldwide. The dish is comprised of three steps: sesame and peanut sauce, chewy noodles, and stir-fried minced pork. Assemble them together and you have these addicting & easy dan dan noodles. You can even make extra & do meal prep with these noodles! The meat can be frozen and the sauce can be kept for up to 1 week in a sealed container.

Everyone makes them differently according to their nationality and taste buds. My recipe is less spicy and has a mix of Taiwanese and Sichuan flavors ◡̈ The noodle dish is sweet and savory with a hint of sichuan peppercorn.

Please note my recipe is not authentic sichuan dan dan noodles. I personally love this version more than the ones that I get at restaurants because it’s less spicy and also very fragrant.

What are Dan Dan Noodles?

Dan dan noodles also known as (dandan mian 担担面 ) originate from Chinese Sichuan cuisine. However, other countries like Taiwan have made their own version as well! You may have tried the dan dan noodles at Din Tai Fung (Taiwanese chain restaurant) that are also super delicious.

Sichuan dan dan noodles are usually added with sichuan peppers and siu cai (chinese pickled vegetables). My dan dan noodle recipe is more influenced by the Taiwanese version, which tastes less spicy and doesn’t have as much sichuan chili and peppercorns. Since my family is from southern China (Guangzhou to be exact), I put in my own southern China twist as well (adding oyster sauce) to make a little bit more savory and sweet!

Type of Noodles

I recommend to use thin white noodles (like this Chengdu dan dan noodles) or yellow (lo mein) noodles for this dan dan noodle recipe. Any type of asian noodles usually works for this dish. These noodles are purchased at my local asian market (99 ranch and hmart). I would not recommend pasta (spaghetti) for this recipe as the noodles won’t stick to the sauce as well.

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR YOUR EASY DAN DAN NOODLES:

keep in mind that sauce substitutions may alter the flavor of the dish ◡̈ I recommend to add all the ingredients for a delicious dish.

Minced pork:

• 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil – avocado or canola oil works! Look for anything that has a high smoke point
• 1/2 pound ground pork – you can substitute with impossible meat if you don’t eat pork
• 1 tablespoon shaoxing cooking wine
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 2 garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon chinese 5 spice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tablespoon soybean paste – I prefer to use the Korean soybean paste due to it’s sweeter flavor

Sauce:

• 3 tablespoon peanut butter – use creamy peanut butter for the best texture results
• 1 tablespoon Chinese sesame paste – when you use sesame paste, keep in mind that you need to stir it heavily as the oil floats to the top and the paste is at the bottom.
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sichuan peppercorn powder
• 1/4 teaspoon MSG – this is optional, but it provides a sweeter and savory taste.
• 2 garlic cloves – grating in raw garlic makes it extra fragrant!
• 1 cup water – slowly stir in 1/2 cup water first and mix sauce; then add the 1/2 cup of water; this makes it easier to mix in the water
• 1-2 tablespoon chili oil (add more if you like more spice) – I prefer to use the chili oil below because it has a fragrant flor without overpowering the sauce and making the dish really spicy!

Assemble:

• cooked noodles (4 servings of noodles)
• minced pork
• chopped peanuts
• chopped persian cucumbers, julienne (cut thinly in long strips)
• sesame seeds
• chili oil
• blanched leafy vegetables (optional)

STEPS TO MAKE THE EASY DAN DAN NOODLES:

Make minced pork:

Step 1. Mince 1/2 inch ginger and 2 garlic cloves. Chop 1 shallot. Set aside.

Step 2. Heat pan to medium heat. Once pan is hot, add 1/2 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add ginger, garlic and shallots in the pan. Fry for 1 minute.

Step 3. Turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 pound pork to the pan and break apart the clumps of meat. Add 1 tablespoon shaoxing cooking wine and fry the pork for 3 minutes until slightly brown.

Step 4. Once the pork has browned, add 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1/8 teaspoon chinese 5 spice, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tablespoon soybean paste. Mix everything together and cook for 1 minute. Set aside.

Mix sauce:

Step 5. Mix together 3 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 tablespoon sesame paste, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sichuan peppercorn powder, grated garlic (2 cloves), 1-2 tablespoon chili oil (add more if you like more spice), 1/4 teaspoon MSG, and 1 tablespoon oyster sauce. The sauce should be creamy with. no clumps and set sauce aside.

Boil Noodles:

Step 6. Boil noodles according to package directions. Rinse the noodles in running water and strain.

Assemble:

Step 7. Chop peanuts. Julienne (cut thinly) persian cucumbers. Place 1/4 cup of sauce on the bottom. Add noodles in a bowl. Top the bowl with persian cucumbers (or blanched veggie of choice), sesame seeds, chopped peanuts and minced pork. Drizzle on some more chili oil if you like.

Step 8. When it’s time to eat, mix the noodles with the toppings and sauce. Enjoy!

Are you a noodle lover too? Try some of my favorite noods ◡̈

• kimchi udon – stir fried udon noodles with a kimchi spicy sauce
• korean spicy cold noodles – noodles are mixed in a spicy kimchi sauce and topped with lots of sliced cucumbers and crushed sesame seeds
• spicy walnut garlic noodles – thick noodles mixed with chopped walnuts and chili oil, garnished with basil and green onions for a delicious bite!

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