Description
Learn how to make authentic Dan Dan Noodles, a classic Sichuan street food favorite featuring spicy ground pork, noodles, and a flavorful sesame sauce. This recipe brings together savory, sweet, and spicy flavors in a delicious bowl of comfort.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Ground Pork
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 green onion stalks, minced
- 4 teaspoons sweet bean sauce (or hoisin sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/3 cup sui mi ya cai (Sichuan preserved mustard greens)
Dan Dan Sauce
- 1/3 cup sesame paste or tahini
- 1/3 cup light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinkiang Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon five spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
- 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons chili oil with chili flakes
- 1/4 cup warm noodle water
Assemble
- 1 pound fresh or dried white noodles, medium thick
- 1 small bunch leafy greens (spinach or bok choy)
- Choy sum
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Chopped green onion
Instructions
- Cook the Pork: In a large skillet or wok, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and stir until lightly browned and separated, about 2 minutes. Add ginger, green onion, bean sauce, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, sugar, and Sui Mi Ya Cai. Toss until liquid evaporates.
- Prepare noodles and greens: Boil noodles according to package instructions. Blanch greens for 30 seconds-1 minute. Set aside.
- Make the Dan Dan Sauce: Whisk together sesame paste, light soy sauce, Chinkiang vinegar, honey, five spice powder, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and chili oil. Dilute with warm noodle water if desired.
- Assemble: In each bowl, add sauce, noodles, pork, blanched greens. Garnish with peanuts and green onion. Add more chili oil to taste.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding more chili oil to taste.
- Stir Chinese sesame paste before using, as it is dense and may separate.
- Avoid substituting Chinese sesame paste with tahini; use peanut butter with sesame oil if needed.
- Taste the sauce and adjust thickness with reserved noodle water.
- Ensure the pan is hot before adding meat for a good sear.
- Store components separately for longer freshness; mixed noodles will soften over time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 60mg