Dan dan mian were originally sold by street vendors who carried their wares on a pole (dan dan) — sauce in one pot, noodles and toppings in another. The dish is Sichuan's most famous noodle preparation: wheat noodles in a sesame and chilli sauce with crispy spiced pork and the signature ma la (numbing-hot) flavour from Sichuan peppercorns.
Dan Dan Noodles Recipe
Ingredients
- 400g thin wheat noodles (or ramen noodles)
- 200g ground pork
- 2 tbsp pasture-raised lard
- 2 tbsp doubanjiang (chilli bean paste)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- For the sauce (mix together): 3 tbsp tahini (sesame paste), 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorn, 2 tbsp chilli oil, 1 tsp sugar, 2-3 tbsp hot water to loosen
- To garnish: sliced spring onions, fresh coriander, crushed roasted peanuts, sesame seeds
Method
- Make the sauce: whisk together the tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Sichuan peppercorn, chilli oil, and sugar. Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until pourable but still thick. Divide between 4 bowls.
- Heat the lard in a skillet over high heat. Add the ground pork, breaking it up. Cook for 5 minutes until crispy in places.
- Add the doubanjiang and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until fragrant and the lard turns red.
- Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water.
- Add the hot noodles directly to the sauce bowls. Use the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Top with the crispy spiced pork. Scatter with spring onions, coriander, peanuts, and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately — the noodles are tossed at the table.
Is chilli oil a seed oil?
Most commercial chilli oils are made with refined sesame oil or peanut oil, not seed oils. Check the label. To make seed oil free chilli oil: heat lard or tallow until smoking, pour over Sichuan pepper, dried chilli flakes, and garlic. Cool and use.
Is dan dan noodles seed oil free?
Yes using lard. Check the chilli oil label — some brands use canola or soybean oil as the base.
Can I make this less spicy?
Reduce the Sichuan peppercorn to ¼ tsp and the chilli oil to ½ tbsp for a milder version.
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