Description
These Dan Dan Noodles are a bold, spicy, and savory Sichuan dish featuring a rich, nutty sesame sauce, flavorful ground meat, and chewy noodles. This addictive dish is packed with umami, heat, and a perfect balance of textures.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Noodles & Toppings
- 12 oz (340g) fresh or dried wheat noodles
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts or sesame seeds
- 1 small cucumber, julienned (optional)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame paste (or peanut butter)
- 1 tablespoon chili oil (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 cup hot noodle cooking water
Meat Topping
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork or chicken
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine (or rice vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame paste, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add hot noodle cooking water and mix until smooth.
- Cook the meat: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add ground pork, breaking it apart. Stir in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce, and five-spice powder. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the noodles: Boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain, reserving some hot water.
- Assemble: Divide sauce between serving bowls. Add noodles and mix well. Top with cooked meat, scallions, peanuts, and cucumber. Drizzle extra chili oil if desired.
- Serve & enjoy!
Notes
- For extra heat, add more chili oil or fresh chopped chilies.
- Use tahini instead of sesame paste if needed.
- Substitute ground meat with crumbled tofu for a vegetarian option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: ~500 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg