Asian street food is notorious for inexpensive and irresistibly delicious eats - and Dan Dan Noodles are no exception! This easy Dan Dan Noodle recipe is rich, spicy, and will leave you craving more!
Bursts of spices and Szechuan peppercorns light up your tastebuds, then make it tingly and slightly numb to take on more heat. Crisp and salty morsels of ground meat perfectly seasoned. And lastly, but certainly not least, chewy and bouncy egg noodles that soak up that sauce goodness.
These are the magical components of Dan Dan Noodles. Have a died and gone to flavor heaven?!
Preparing for the BEST Dan Dan Noodle Recipe
One unique ingredient used in Dan Dan Noodles is fermented mustard greens, also known as Sui Mi Ya Cai. It has a strong aroma and distinct saltiness to the dish that’s like no other. I will admit, I was a bit hesitant to add it in because the smell was so strong, but I'm glad I did anyway!
Just like cooking with fish sauce, the flavors melt together so well and elevate the dish. Traditional ingredients are included for a reason!
You can look for Sui Mi Ya Cai in your Asian market, however, I did have difficulty finding it but luckily it’s easy to find on Amazon!
Creating an Easy Work Flow
Please don’t let the list of ingredients intimidate you! Yes, there are many ingredients, but they layer on top of each other to create a complex and ultimately delicious dish that’s TOTALLY worth it.
To make things as easy as possible, break down your prep and cooking into sections:
- Sauce
- Noodles
- Protein
- Vegetables, if you’d like
The dish can either be dry or as a noodle soup. Either way, it’s served hot and the chilies and spices will add another level of heat to warm up your body too!
Try out this easy Dan Dan Noodles recipe and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
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Let's Get Cooking!
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Easy Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
SAUCE:
- 3 tablespoons sesame paste
- 2-3 tablespoons chili oil adjust to your spice level
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons Chinese black vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon toasted ground Szechuan peppers
- ¾ teaspoon five spice
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup cooking water from noodles ¼ cup water in each serving bowl
FOR THE MEAT:
- ½ pound ground pork or ground chicken, beef, or crumbled extra firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- ¼ cup sui mi ya cai Chinese preserved mustard greens, (can omit if you can’t find it)
NOODLES & VEGGIES:
- 15.5 oz of thin wheat noodles can sub with spaghetti noodles
- 8 oz baby bok choy cut in half lengthwise, can sub. other leafy green
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, make the sauce by whisking together sesame paste, chili oil, soy sauce, chicken bouillon, sugar, black vinegar, dark soy sauce, ground szechuan peppercorn, five spice, & garlic. Mix until smooth then set aside.
- Heat a large pan or skillet on medium-high heat with a little oil. Add ground meat & spread evenly into the pan. Cook for a few minutes until cooked through & browned, breaking up any big chunks.
- Add Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, & dark soy sauce to the meat & cook for a few more minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed.
- Toss in sui mi ya cai (if using) and cook for an additional 1 - 2 minutes. Remove meat mixture from heat & set aside.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in noodles and follow the package's instructions to cook. Remove noodles and keep the pot boiling. Add the bok choy and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the greens are tender but still crunchy. Remove bok choy, turn off heat, & reserve the boiling water.
Begin assembling your Dan Dan bowls:
- In each serving bowl, add about 2 - 2 ½ tablespoons of the sesame sauce & ¼ cup of the boiling water. Stir until smooth.
- Divide noodles, meat, & bok choy into each serving bowl.
- Garnish green onions & sesame seeds, if you’re feeling fancy. Mix together before enjoying!
Notes
- Protein: Can substitute meat with your favorite protein: ground chicken, turkey, beef, or crumbled extra-firm tofu
- Light / Regular vs Dark Soy Sauce: Both types of soy sauces bring different elements to the dish. Light or regular soy sauce adds saltiness and can be easily accessible at grocery stores. Dark soy sauce adds a deep rich color and can be found at local Asian markets or Amazon. If you can't find dark soy sauce, keep in mind that your Dan Dan Noodles will come out lighter in color.
- Shaoxing Wine: This is a Chinese cooking wine and can be found at local Asian markets or Amazon.
- Sui mi ya cai: This is a Chinese preserved mustard green and is a traditional ingredient for Dan Dan Noodles. It can sometimes be difficult to find even in Asian markets, but you can find it on Amazon. Alternatively, you can substitute with pickled mustard greens, kimchi, or omit it.
- Noodles: You can easily find fresh noodles at local Asian markets in the refrigerated section. I highly recommend using them if you're tight on time because they only take a few minutes to cook. Alternatively, you can use spaghetti noodles!
- If noodles get stuck together while preparing the rest of the ingredients, you can splash a little water on them to loosen them up before adding in the rest of the ingredients.
Nutrition
Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
HEY, I'M MIKHA!
...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.
Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!
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