Dan Dan Noodles
担担面
Dan Dan Noodles are a classic Sichuan street food — springy noodles in a fiery, sesame-rich sauce topped with crispy pork and crushed peanuts.
📋 Ingredients
What Are Dan Dan Noodles?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Dan Dan Noodles (担担面, dàn dàn miàn) originated from street vendors in Sichuan who carried their kitchens on a carrying pole (dàn). This iconic street food features springy wheat noodles in a complex, multi-layered sauce of sesame, chili, and Sichuan pepper, topped with crispy minced pork.
Ingredients
Sauce (per bowl)
- 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili oil with sediment
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp hot noodle cooking water
Pork Topping
- 150g ground pork
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp sweet bean paste (tian mian jiang)
To Serve
- 200g fresh wheat noodles
- Crushed roasted peanuts
- Sliced scallions
- Sichuan peppercorn powder
- Blanched bok choy (optional)
📝 Instructions
Make the Sauce
In each serving bowl, combine sesame paste, soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, sugar, and garlic. Whisk until smooth.
Cook the Pork
Stir-fry ground pork in a hot wok with a little oil. Add Shaoxing wine, dark soy, and sweet bean paste. Cook until the pork is browned and crispy, breaking it into small crumbles.
Cook the Noodles
Boil fresh noodles according to package directions (usually 3-4 minutes). Save some cooking water. Drain.
Assemble
Add 2 tbsp hot noodle water to each sauce bowl and whisk to loosen. Add the hot noodles and toss well. Top with crispy pork, crushed peanuts, scallions, and a generous sprinkle of Sichuan pepper.
Eat Immediately
Toss everything together at the table. The sauce should coat every strand.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡Loosen the sesame paste first — it's thick; whisking with hot water creates a silky base.
- 💡Crispy pork is key — cook it until it crackles for texture contrast.
- 💡Sichuan pepper at the end — it loses its numbing power when cooked too long.
