The Best Dan Dan Noodles You’ll Ever Have! (30 Minutes) – VIDEO

Ingredients for Dan Dan Noodles

Making these delicious noodles at home is actually very easy! Most of these ingredients you may already have at home.

What type of noodles should I use for Dan Dan Noodles?

This is the #1 question I get for this Dan Dan Noodles recipe! First, I want to stress that you can use almost any type of long noodle and the flavors of the dish will still be so delicious! A great alternative option is egg noodles – you can use either fresh or dried. Experiment with different types of long noodles to see which one you like the best – you may be surprised!

However, if you want to make the most authentic (in my opinion) Dan Dan Noodles, I would look for fresh wheat noodles (Shanghai-style). I find these in the refrigerated section of 99 Ranch (my local Chinese grocery). I’m including a photo of the label below.

Protein

• Pork
  • 1/2 lb ground pork – If you cannot eat pork, you can substitute with dark meat ground turkey or chicken, as well as an 80/20 ground beef.
  • 1 tbsp shaoxing wine – This is a Chinese cooking wine and one of my recommended Chinese pantry staples! I purchase mine from my local Asian grocery (99 Ranch).
    • If you cannot find shaoxing wine, the closest substitute would be cooking sherry.
    • If you cannot use alcohol, I would use a little bit of chicken stock.
    • The good thing is that this is used in a small quantity, so it is OK if you don’t have it. The flavors in this dish are so amazing, you’re still going to enjoy the final product!
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce – light soy sauce is also sometimes called or labeled “all-purpose” soy sauce.
  • 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce – Dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and sweeter (as well as has a higher sodium content) than regular soy sauce. If you do not have dark soy sauce on hand, you can sub with oyster sauce.
  • 1/2 tsp white pepper – White pepper is a frequently used spice in Chinese cooking; if you find yourself cooking a lot of Asian food at home, I highly recommend purchasing some for your pantry. It has an earthier flavor and more heat than black pepper.
    • If you don’t have this, you can substitute with black pepper.
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp five spice powder

Sauce

• 1/4 cup chili oil – I like to use my Homemade Sichuan Chili Oil; I get asked all the time what my favorite chili oil is and I always say it’s my own! If you are interested in making your own at home, I highly recommend it.
  • If you want to use store bought, that is totally OK too!
  • For those who are concerned about the spice level – if you are unable to eat spicy food, I would still include the chili oil but halve the amount. The chili oil (especially mine) is so aromatic, it adds a lot of depth and infuses the Dan Dan Noodles with so many flavors. I would NOT skip it entirely.
• 1/4 cup light soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame paste – Dan Dan Noodles is traditionally made with sesame paste but you can sub with tahini or natural peanut butter (no sugar added).
  • If you are using sesame paste for the first time, you’ll find it separated (kind of like almond butter) – give it a good stir to incorporate the oil and paste before adding it to your sauce
• 2 tsp ground szechuan peppercorns – I like to ground these by hand in my mortar and pestle.
• 1/2 tsp five spice powder
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp msg optional – as you know by now, I love to use MSG in moderation as a flavor enhancer. This is always optional.
• 4 cloves garlic chopped

Noodles + Garnishes

• 1 lb noodles – this can be fresh or dried; I included a photo of the exact noodles I use below.
• 1/4 cup noodle water – this is to help loosen your sauce, if needed; you can use less or more.
• scallions chopped – this is an optional garnish
• crushed peanuts – this is an optional garnish

2. Make the sauce

In a large bowl, mix together the chili oil, light soy sauce, sesame paste, ground Sichuan peppercorns, give spice powder, sugar, MSG if using, and garlic.

5. Assemble the Dan Dan Noodles

To finish the Dan Dan Noodles, add the drained noodles to the sauce and top the noodles with the reserved pork, freshly chopped scallions, blanched bok choy, crushed peanuts and enjoy!