Dan Dan Noodles

Sep 02, 2023

Spicy, savory, nutty, and tangy, Dan Dan Noodles are famous for their complex layering of flavors and sensations. Bursting with authentic Sichuan flavor, discover how to make spicy Sichuan noodles with ground pork in your very own kitchen!

Dan dan noodles are a fabulous layering of complex flavors. It’s a dish that’s worth the extra effort, especially for anyone who loves a big bowl of slurpable, spicy noodles.

Dan dan noodles (担担面, dan dan mian) is a traditional noodle dish originating from Chinese Sichuan cuisine. The dish consists of noodles tossed in a spicy sauce made with Sichuan peppercorns and chili oil, with preserved vegetables (often pickled mustard stems or Zha Cai) and minced pork. One of the most popular street foods, the dish gets its name from the type of carrying pole (dan dan) that is used by walking street vendors who sell the dish.

The sauce can vary in spiciness, depending on the amount of chili oil and Sichuan pepper added to the sauce. Sichuan peppercorns also add a unique tingling sensation to the tongue – similar to what you experience with the dishes Sichuan chicken and kung pao chicken.

Originally, dan dan noodles were served without any added soup or broth, but a soup variant from Hong Kong has become a popular option throughout the rest of China (minus Sichuan).

This recipe adds a small amount of broth to loosen the sauce, but not so much that it resembles a soup.

1. Season the ground pork: In a large bowl, combine the pork with the minced garlic, Chinese cooking wine, soy sauce, mirin, oil, ginger, and Chinese five spice. Mix well, then set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Sichuan Peppercorns: In a dry pan over medium-low to medium heat, toast the Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Grind the peppercorns using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder until ground, then add 2-3 teaspoons to a medium bowl. (Add more if you prefer a spicier, tinglier sauce)

3. Make the sauce: Add the chili oil, sesame paste, soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil to the medium bowl containing 2-3 teaspoons of ground Szechuan peppercorns. Whisk well until it forms a paste, then set aside.

4. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to package directions or until al dente. If you’re cooking semi-fresh wheat noodles, they cook quickly! 1-2 minutes at most. In this case, add the baby bok choy at the same time. If using dry noodles, add the baby bok choy (or other green veggies) in the last two minutes of cooking. Remove the greens to an ice bath to stop cooking and drain the noodles.

5. Brown the pork: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and coat the bottom with oil. Add the prepared pork, and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Add the preserved mustard greens and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

6. Assemble: In a shallow serving bowl, add half of the spicy sauce, cooked noodles, cooked pork, 1-2 bok choy, and 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth. Repeat for the second serving.

7. Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped green onions/scallions and crushed peanuts, if desired.

Dan dan noodles are traditionally made with round, thin to medium-thin Chinese wheat noodles – not rice noodles. Most Asian markets will carry semi-fresh wheat noodles in the refrigerated section; however, they won’t be labeled as “dan dan noodles,” so be sure to check the ingredients. If an Asian grocery store isn’t nearby, dry, round, thin Asian-style wheat noodles will also work. In a pinch, you can try using noodles like spaghetti or linguine, but the texture and taste will be slightly different from the traditional dish.

Sichuan Peppercorns have a somewhat tingling or numbing effect rather than a burning hot effect on the mouth. Pre-toasted and ground peppercorns are the best option; otherwise, you’ll want to toast them in a dry pan over medium-low heat just until fragrant and then grind them. You can find them at Asian grocery stores and supermarkets, Whole Foods, or online.

Sui Mi Ya Cai (碎米芽菜) is a type of preserved mustard green from Sichuan, China. After a process of fermentation, the result is a sweet, tangy, and slightly salty flavor unique to Sui Mi Ya Cai. This unique flavor makes it an essential ingredient to dan dan noodles and is hard to reproduce using other ingredients. You can find Sui Mi Ya Cai is usually sold in vacuum-sealed packets in Chinese or Asian grocery stores.

Storing: If possible, try to store the noodles separately from the remaining ingredients to keep them from getting too soggy. Allow the noodles and sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring them to airtight containers. Transfer to the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Freezing: The sauce will freeze well for up to 2-3 months, but it is not recommended to free the noodles as they will turn mushy when thawed and reheated.

If you try making this Dan Dan Noodle Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

About Jessica

Chef Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon. A world traveler, Jessica developed her passion for culinary arts while adventuring. With her recipes making their way onto renowned platforms such as Women's Health, Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Fox News, she's marked her presence in the culinary world. Jessica's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.