Dan Dan Noodles are a popular noodle dish sold at dumpling restaurants and noodle shops worldwide. The dish is super easy to make comprised of three elements — a sesame and peanut sauce, chewy noodles, and stir-fried minced pork. Now you can cook this easy dan dan noodles recipe at home any time the craving strikes!
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Why You Will Love This Dan Dan Noodle Recipe
- So Easy to Make: Despite the long list of ingredients, this dish is easy enough to assemble for a weeknight dinner.
- Make a Double Batch: Meal prep these noodles by making a double batch — one to enjoy tonight and extra for later on.
- Great Flavor: These noodles are a combination of sweet and spicy creating flavors that are absolutely addicting.
What are Dan Dan Noodles?
These Chinese 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 this style of noodles at Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese chain restaurant that is also super delicious.
Sichuan dan dan noodles are prepared with Sichuan peppers and siu cai (Chinese pickled vegetables). Everyone makes this dish differently according to their nationality and taste buds.
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!
Please note my recipe is not an authentic Sichuan dan dan noodle recipe. I personally love this version more than what’s usually served at restaurants because it’s less spicy and also very fragrant.
Ingredients
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to gather to make this recipe for noodles at home. The list looks long but many of the ingredients are pantry staples that you can use to cook similar dishes for other meals.
If you want to purchase these products online, you can find their links in the recipe card below.
PRO TIP: Keep in mind that sauce substitutions may alter the flavor of the dish ◡̈ I recommend adding all the ingredients for a delicious dish.
Minced Pork
- Neutral oil: Avocado or canola oil works! Look for anything that has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. Oils such as coconut oil or olive oil have flavors that may interfere with the taste of your noodles.
- Ground pork: You can substitute ground chicken or other ground meat options if you don’t eat pork.
- Shaoxing cooking wine: A Chinese rice wine that gets its name from an area in northern China. It is generally available in Asian markets, well-stocked supermarkets, or you can buy Shaoxing cooking wine from Amazon. In a pinch, dry sherry is often considered a good substitute.
- Aromatics: Ginger, garlic, and shallots layer in flavors for the pork giving it a delightful aroma and flavor.
- Dark soy sauce: Added for color and flavor. It’s thicker and darker than regular soy sauce. You can find this on Amazon or in Asian markets.
- Chinese 5 spice: This spice blend is made from ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. It’s available in many supermarkets or you can get it along with your other ingredients at the Asian market.
- Soybean paste: I prefer to use Korean soybean paste due to its sweeter flavor which you can find at Asian markets or buy soy bean paste online.
Dan Dan Sauce
- Peanut butter: Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture results for your sauce.
- 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.
- Soy sauce: Regular soy sauce adds savoriness to the sauce which melds perfectly with the sweet and spicy flavors in the sauce.
- Oyster sauce: My secret ingredient that adds an even more intense sweetness to the sauce.
- Sichuan peppercorn powder: adds a numby and tingly spice flavor! Buy it at your Asian market or you can find Sichuan peppercorn powder online at Amazon.
- Garlic cloves: Grating in raw garlic makes it extra fragrant!
Dan Dan Noodle Toppings
Not all toppings needed to be added, but I recommend all for delicious flavor and crunchy texture.
- Noodles: I recommend using thin white noodles (such as Chengdu dan dan noodles) or yellow (lo mein) noodles for this dan dan noodle recipe. However, any type of Asian noodles usually works for this dish. These noodles are purchased at my local Asian market (such as 99 Ranch and Hmart). I would not recommend pasta (spaghetti) for this recipe as the sauce won’t stick to the noodles as well.
- Peanuts (optional): These add a bit of crunchy texture but also peanut flavor to your noodles.
- Julienned Cucumbers: Choose Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers which have fewer seeds and a more crisp texture.
- Chili oil (optional) : A great topping especially if you like spicy food. You can also add some into the sauce when making it but I find it gets a bit bitter and can be too overpowering.
- Blanched bok choy, spinach or chinese cabbage (optional) : Any leafy green vegetables works with these noodles! Add your favorite or what you have in the fridge.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Dan Dan Noodles
This recipe is broken down into three main parts. Each one takes just a few minutes to make. The longest part is simply gathering and measuring all the ingredients.
Make the Minced Pork
Step 1. Mince the ginger and garlic cloves as well as chop the shallot. Set them aside for a bit later.
Step 2. Add oil to a hot pan. Add the ginger, garlic, and shallots and fry for one minute. Then add the pork.
Step 3. Break apart the lumps of pork in small pieces. Then, add the Shaoxing cooking wine, dark soy sauce, Chinese 5 spice, sugar, and soybean paste to the cooked meat. Mix everything together and cook for 1 minute.
Make the Dan Dan Sauce
Step 4. Combine the peanut butter, sesame paste, water, soy sauce, sichuan peppercorn powder, grated garlic, chili oil MSG, and oyster sauce in a medium bowl.
Step 5. Mix the sauce until it’s creamy without any clumps. As shown in the picture above.
PRO TIP: When adding the water, slowly stir in half a cup of water first and mix it into the sauce. Then add the rest. This method makes it easier to mix together.
Assemble Your Noodles
Step 6. Boil noodles according to package directions. When they’re cooked, rinse the noodles under running water and strain.
Step 7. Place sauce on the bottom of your bowl. Add the noodles on top. Add your toppings — Persian cucumbers, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, and minced pork. Mix well!
Expert Tips
- Storing for Meal Prep: The meat can be frozen and the sauce can be kept for up to 1 week in a sealed container.
- Avoid Substitutions: If you’re looking for the BEST outcome it’s truly best to stick with the ingredients as written. Each one plays an important part in the essence of the recipe so making any changes can change the flavor.
- Don’t Overcook Your Noodles: Follow the directions on the package and make sure that as soon as you drain them you follow it up with a rinse. This will slightly cool down the noodles so the cooking process stops and it also removes any starch that may make them stick together.
Recipe FAQs
This version of the 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. I recommend to use these type of noodles in the image here.
I got these noodles at 99 ranch (chinese grocery store).
This dish is meant to be an entire meal but you can add an appetizer such as Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings or a side dish like this Chinese Cabbage Stir Fry. If you’re craving a little sweet for later, consider some Chinese Egg Tarts or Chinese Mango Pudding.
You can use meatless crumbles such as Impossible Meat or Beyond Meat in place of the pork to make vegetarian dan dan noodles. You can use a vegan oyster sauce.
More Noodle Recipes
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Easy Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
Minced Pork
- ½ tablespoon neutral oil avocado or canola
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 inch ginger minced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon chinese 5 spice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soybean paste
Dan Dan Sauce
- 3 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon sesame paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sichuan peppercorn powder
- ¼ teaspoon MSG
- 2 garlic cloves grated
- 1 cup water
- 1-2 tablespoon chili oil (add more if you like more spice)
Assemble
- 4 servings cooked noodles
- minced pork
- chopped peanuts
- chopped persian cucumbers julienne (cut thinly in long strips)
- sesame seeds
- chili oil
- blanched leafy vegetables optional
Instructions
Make Minced Pork
- Peel ginger and garlic cloves. Then, mince 1 inch ginger and 2 garlic cloves. Chop 1 shallot. Set aside.
- Heat pan to medium heat. Once pan is hot, add ½ tablespoon oil to the pan. Add ginger, garlic and shallots in the pan. Fry for 1 minute.
- Turn heat to medium-high. Add ½ pound pork to the pan and break apart the clumps of meat into small pieces. Add 1 tablespoon shaoxing cooking wine and fry the pork for 3 minutes until slightly brown.
- Once the pork has browned, add 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, ⅛ teaspoon chinese 5 spice, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon soybean paste. Mix everything together and cook for 1 minute. Set aside.
Mix the Sauce
- Mix together 3 tablespoon peanut butter, 1 tablespoon sesame paste, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon sichuan peppercorn powder, grated garlic (2 cloves), 1-2 tablespoon chili oil (add more if you like more spice), ¼ teaspoon MSG, and 1 tablespoon oyster sauce. The sauce should be creamy with no clumps. Set sauce aside.
Boil Noodles
- Boil noodles according to package directions. Rinse the noodles in running water and strain.
Assemble
- Chop peanuts. Julienne persian cucumbers. Place ¼ 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.
- When it’s time to eat, mix the noodles with the toppings and sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing for Meal Prep: The meat can be frozen and the sauce can be kept for up to 1 week in a sealed container.
- Avoid Substitutions: If you’re looking for the BEST outcome it’s truly best to stick with the ingredients as written. Each one plays an important part in the essence of the recipe so making any changes can change the flavor.
- Don’t Overcook Your Noodles: Follow the directions on the package and make sure that as soon as you drain them you follow it up with a rinse. This will slightly cool down the noodles so the cooking process stops and it also removes any starch that may make them stick together.
Helen Chen says
Loved this recipe! Thanks so much!!
Helena Hsieh says
Love this meal and recipe!
Theresa Sandifer says
Mixing the sauce, step 1: What is 1/3 cup tablespoon of water? You have 1 cup listed in the ingredients but the directions do not make sense. Thank you in advance.
Cook With Dana says
Hi Theresa, sorry for the typo. It is 1 cup of water and it is updated in the blog post ◡̈