Dan Dan Noodles

Name: Dan Dan Noodles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 lb Chinese wheat noodles; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground; 2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil; 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini); 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar; 1 tsp sugar; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced; 4 green onions, chopped; 2 tbsp preserved mustard greens (ya cai), chopped; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/2 cup chicken stock or water; to taste salt

A classic Sichuan street food featuring spicy noodles with a savory pork topping and creamy sesame sauce. The combination of numbing Sichuan peppercorns, chili oil, and sesame creates an addictively complex flavor profile.

35 minMediumServes 4520 cal/serving

ChineseLunchStovetopStandard

Ingredients

1 lb Chinese wheat noodles
1/2 lb ground pork
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground
2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil
2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
1 tsp sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
4 green onions, chopped
2 tbsp preserved mustard greens (ya cai), chopped
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
to taste salt

Instructions

1

Make the sauce by mixing 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, half of the 2 tbsp Sichuan chili oil, and half of the 1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock or water and whisk until smooth.
2

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and half of the 4 chopped green onions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3

Add 1/2 lb ground pork and break it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes.
4

Add 2 tbsp chopped preserved mustard greens (ya cai) and stir-fry for another minute.
5

Season the pork mixture with a pinch of to taste salt and the remaining Sichuan peppercorns. Remove from heat and set aside.
6

Cook 1 lb Chinese wheat noodles according to package instructions. Drain well.
7

For each serving, place a portion of the sauce in the bottom of a bowl. Add hot noodles on top and then spoon the pork mixture over the noodles.
8

Garnish with the remaining green onions and a drizzle of chili oil. Serve immediately, mixing everything together before eating.

Questions

Can I make Dan Dan Noodles gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb Chinese wheat noodles, 2 tbsp soy sauce. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time; the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Dan Dan Noodles keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Dan Dan Noodles?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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