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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Dan Dan Noodles

    Last Modified: May 11, 2023 - Published by: christieathome

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Dan Dan Noodles. A classic Chinese noodle dish made of thick chewy noodles coated in a delicious spicy nutty sesame sauce that is packed with flavor!

    Dan Dan Noodles

    Perfect as a meal and ready in less than 20 minutes!

    An Iconic Noodle Dish

    ​If there's one iconic dish that makes me think of China, it's this one! If you like spicy food, then you need to try this one out! There are many versions of dan dan noodles but this one rivals the Chinese restaurants as it's packed with flavor and it's so delicious! 

    Dan Dan Noodles

    Quick & Easy

    ​I love making this dish as it's easy, tasty and pretty quick as it's not a stir fry. The noodle sauce is simply made by mixing the ingredients in a large bowl and then adding the hot noodles to it along with that savory crispy pork. Both take about 10 minutes to cook or less if you're multi-tasking! The end result is such a delectable dish. It's no wonder it's so famous in China. 

    dan dan noodles

    What are Dan Dan Noodles?

    Dan Dan Noodles (aka Dan Dan Mian) are spicy noodles that originate from the Sichuan province in China.  These spicy Sichuan noodles are very popular in Sichuan cuisine. Many street vendors or noodle shops will serve different types of these Chinese noodles. 

    In addition, all Sichuan restaurants have their own version of dan dan noodles. In fact, there are even regional variations too! But the key ingredients usually remain the same. 

    This dish is iconic for its fresh noodles, spicy sauce with a complex flavor profile and crispy ground pork! Altogether this authentic dan dan noodle recipe will satisfy all your taste buds!

    dan dan noodles

    Easy Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles

    Despite the different ingredients, this dan dan noodle dish is actually quite quick and simple to make in about 20 minutes! The sauce requires no cooking at all. You're simply marinating and frying the ground pork until crispy and boiling noodles until Al dente. That's it! Most of the time will go towards preparing your ingredients, which is very common in Chinese cuisine. 

    Ingredients

    You’ll need the below ingredient list for these authentic dan dan noodles. Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements. 

    Note: The Asian market is likely to carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select local grocery store or online, like on Amazon.   

    • Fresh wheat noodles: I highly recommend fresh ones over dried or frozen ones for the best texture.  If you use dried wheat noodles, please follow package directions to cook noodles.  If you can't find either fresh or dried wheat noodles, substitute with spaghetti noodles or thick egg noodles. 
    • Ground pork: traditional dan dan noodles use ground pork. But feel free to substitute with any ground meat such as ground chicken, ground turkey, ground beef or crumbled extra firm tofu for a vegan option. 
    • Reserved noodle water: the starchy water helps to loosen the noodles and helps create a very creamy spicy sauce when mixed. If you forget to reserve the noodle water, hot boiling water will work. 
    • Green onion or fresh scallions
    • Neutral oil, like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Avoid olive oil, coconut oil or any heavy scented oils. 

    Noodle sauce:

    • Sesame paste: or substitute with tahini paste, or peanut butter for a peanut sauce
    • Chinese chili oil: or substitute with a homemade chili oil (I share one here on the blog!). This is a spicy red oil made of red pepper flakes, tingly Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, onions, garlic, cinnamon and cloves. It's delicious and fragrant in the best way possible! You can find store bought Chinese chili oil at most Asian grocery stores. 
    • Dark soy sauce: This is not the same as all purpose soy sauce or light soy sauce. It's much thicker in consistency and darker in color. It's meant to color a dish. 
    • Regular soy sauce: aka all-purpose soy sauce. The label will simply say "Soy Sauce". You can alternatively substitute with light soy sauce. 
    • White granulated sugar: to help balance out the saltiness from the soy sauce. This is a must for a balance taste profile. Many people ask me "why sugar?" and that's why!
    • Chinese black vinegar:​ optional but highly recommend! 
    • Garlic cloves: to give our noodle sauce a garlicky flavor which compliments the Sichuan peppercorn powder.
    • Sichuan peppercorn powder aka Szechuan peppercorn powder: this is the key ingredient of this popular Chinese noodle dish for those Sichuan flavors!
    • Sesame seeds: or substitute with sesame oil
    • Chicken bouillon powder: I love adding this ingredient as it contains a bit of MSG giving the noodle dish an "ahh that hits-the-spot-taste!" If you're refraining from MSG, feel free to omit this altogether. 

    Pork seasoning:

    • Regular soy sauce: aka all-purpose soy sauce. The label will simply say "Soy Sauce". You can alternatively substitute with light soy sauce. 
    • Shaoxing wine: or substitute with rice wine vinegar or Dry Sherry wine. 
    • Chinese Five-spice powder: most Asian or Western grocery stores will carry this item. You can also easily find this online, on Amazion It really adds a nice floral fragrance to the ground pork. 
    • White granulated sugar 
    • White pepper or black pepper

     How to Make Dan Dan Noodles

    Season ground pork with Seasoning ingredients as listed. Set aside as you prepare other ingredients. 

    In a small bowl, combine Noodle Sauce ingredients as listed above.

    Transfer sauce to the base of a large serving bowl. 

    In a wok or large skillet on medium-high heat, cook marinated pork ground and break it up in finer pieces. Cook until the pork is browned, crispy on the edges and fat has rendered out.   Set aside and keep warm. 

    In a medium pot filled with enough water, bring to a boil.  Add fresh wheat noodles and lower to medium heat. Boil for 2-3 minutes until Al Dente. 

    Reserve ½ cup of hot noodle water. 

    Strain the noodles. Do not rinse off with cold water. 

    Place hot noodles on top of the Noodle sauce in large serving bowl. Followed by the reserved noodle water.

    Place crispy pork mixture on top. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy by giving the noodles and pork a good stir with clean utensils until they're mix well and coated in sauce.  

    Dan Dan Noodles

    Storage for Dan Dan Noodles

    This dish will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave for 2-4 minutes until hot or reheat on the stovetop and add a bit of water to help loosen the noodles. 

    FAQ

    What can I serve these noodles with?

    These noodles are typically served with a preserved vegetable called Zha cai aka pickled mustard greens. These can be found at the Asian market in the preserved vegetable aisle. They add a nice acidity to help balance out the spicy, savory, nutty noodles! But you can enjoy it with any leafy greens that you enjoy!

    mustard greens

    ​What are substitutes for Chinese sesame paste?

    Tahini paste or smooth peanut butter.

    Below is the brand of sesame paste that I enjoy using.

    ​Are there any substitutes for Sichuan peppercorn powder?

    You can substitute with a 1:1 ratio of ground black pepper and ground coriander. 

    What can I replace Chinese chili oil with?

    Any chili oil that you can find at the grocer will work as a replacement. 

    I can't find Shaoxing wine, any replacements?

    Dry Sherry or rice wine vinegar. 

    Other recipes you may enjoy!

    ​If you enjoyed this recipe, check out my other noodle recipes:

    • Scallion oil noodles
    • 10-minute easy Sesame Noodles
    • Shanghai Fried Noodles
    • Easy Spicy Peanut Noodles
    • 10-minute Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
    dan dan noodles

    Dan Dan Noodles

    christieathome
    Dan Dan Noodles. A classic Chinese noodle dish made of thick chewy noodles coated in a delicious spicy nutty sesame sauce that is packed with flavor! Perfect as a meal and ready in less than 20 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories per serving 675 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb fresh wheat noodles or sub with dried wheat noodles, thick egg noodles or spaghetti
    • ½ lb ground pork or sub with ground chicken, turkey, beef or tofu
    • ½ cup reserved noodle water
    • 1 green onion finely chopped for garnish
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil

    Noodle sauce:

    • 2 tablespoon sesame paste or sub with tahini paste or smooth peanut butter
    • 2-3 tablespoon Chinese chili oil or sub with any chili oil of your choice or make my homemade version here
    • ¾ tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • ½ tablespoon regular soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoon white granulated sugar
    • 2 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar *not shown in video
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds toasted
    • ¼ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder

    Pork seasoning:

    • 2 teaspoon regular soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or sub with dry sherry or rice vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon Chinese Five Spice
    • ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Season ground pork with Seasoning ingredients as listed. Set aside as you prepare other ingredients.
    • In a small bowl, combine Noodle Sauce ingredients as listed above. Pour sauce to the base of a large serving bowl.
    • In a wok or large skillet on medium-high heat, add vegetable oil and cook marinated pork ground until browned and fat has rendered out. Break it up in finer pieces. Set aside and keep warm.
    • In a medium pot filled with enough water, bring to a boil. Add fresh wheat noodles and lower to medium heat. Boil for 2-3 minutes until Al Dente. Reserve ½ cup of hot noodle water. Strain noodles. Do not rinse off with cold water.
    • Place hot noodles on top of the Noodle sauce in large serving bowl. Followed by the reserved noodle water.
    • Place crispy pork mixture on top. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy by mixing the noodles and pork into the sauce until everything is coated in sauce.
    Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!
    Copyright PolicyChristie at Home owns all copyright to her blog content, photos and videos. Usage of any of these copyrighted materials on your website or social media channels is strictly prohibited. If you adapt my recipes, please provide a backlink to my website and re-write in your own words.

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    Wok
    Non-stick wok
    Measuring Set
    Santoku Knife
    Cutting Board
    Steel Colander
    Kitchen Scale
    Tongs
    Nutrition
    Calories: 675kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 556mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 6mg
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine Chinese
    Keyword authentic sichuan noodles, dan dan mian, dan dan noodles authentic, dan dan noodles easy recipe, dan dan noodles from scratch, dan dan noodles ground pork, dan dan noodles recipe, sichuan chili noodles, sichuan chilli noodles, sichuan noodles recipe

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Heidi | The Frugal Girls

      January 04, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      5 stars
      These noodles look so so good! I loved your tips on adjusting the heat. That was so helpful.

      Reply
    2. Jon Rubin

      May 18, 2023 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      Just made these -- and my girlfriend's reaction was: yum! do it again, do it often!
      Which is all I want from a recipe.
      Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • christieathome

        May 29, 2023 at 2:59 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe, Jon! So glad your girlfriend enjoyed them! I appreciate the kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    3. Dan

      May 22, 2023 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Couldn’t find sichuan peppercorn powder. Other than that it worked fine. Careful with the chili oil. The one I purchased is really hot. I used shrimp sautéed in Chinese five spice. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • christieathome

        May 29, 2023 at 2:56 pm

        Thank you so much for making my recipe! Glad it worked out fine!

        Reply

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    Christie

    Christie is an Asian Recipe Blogger sharing delicious recipes that you can make at home! Her goal is to make Asian cooking approachable and less intimidating. With a social media following of over 800k, she has been featured on Buzz Feed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn and more! Christie's recipes have been made over and over again by her loyal readers.

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