Why Dan Dan Noodles?
Dan Dan Noodles (Dan Dan Mian) are the soul of Sichuan street food. Named after the bamboo pole (dan dan) that street vendors used to carry their noodle stalls this dish is a symphony of textures and flavors chewy noodles savory ground pork and a rich spicy sauce that coats every strand.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fresh wheat noodles | 250g |
| Ground pork | 150g |
| Sichuan chili oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Sesame paste (tahini) | 2 tablespoons |
| Soy sauce | 2 tablespoons |
| Chinkiang vinegar | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic cloves | 3 minced |
| Green onions | 3 sliced |
| Ya cai (pickled vegetables) | 2 tablespoons |
| Sichuan peppercorn powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Sauce
In a serving bowl combine chili oil sesame paste soy sauce vinegar minced garlic and Sichuan peppercorn powder. Stir until smooth.
Step 2: Cook the Pork
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and stir-fry until browned and crispy. Add ya cai and cook for 1 more minute.
Step 3: Cook Noodles
Cook noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and add directly to the sauce bowl. Toss well to coat.
Step 4: Assemble
Top with the crispy pork and ya cai mixture. Garnish with green onions. Mix everything together before eating.
Pro Tips
- Good sesame paste is essential cheap brands are too thin
- Thin the sesame paste with a little warm water before mixing
- Ya cai is irreplaceable for authentic flavor find it at Asian markets
- The sauce should be thick enough to cling to every noodle
