This dan dan noodles recipe features bold, spicy Sichuan flavours with a savoury, nutty sauce, tender noodles, and minced beef. A quick and delicious comfort food classic!
Dan dan noodles can be made with beef or pork mince. Most recipes I've seen are made with pork mince, however, this dan dan noodle recipe from Ching-He Huang's Chinese Food Made Easy recipe book is made using beef mince.
The flavours are delicious and very well balanced and go incredibly well together.
Info from Ching-He Huang
Ching-He provides the following information regarding dan dan noodles within the recipe book:
- This famed Sichuan dish originated in Chengdu; the name comes from the bamboo shoulder poles (dan) from which the noodle sellers suspended their stoves, noodles and sauces. This is served as a quick solution to those in need of a snack - mah-jong players and gamblers wandering around the city at night - but she loves to serve small bowls of it as a starter to get the tastebuds going. There are several versions, some spicier and some drier than others, but she likes more sauce and has added chicken stock. Traditionally, this dish also uses preserved mustard greens or Tianjin preserved vegetables, but one day she didn't have any and used pickled cornichons instead.
Tips
- Prepare and make ahead - the dish is very quick to cook so I'd highly recommend that you have all of the ingredients looked out and prepared beforehand. The noodle base and sauce can be made in advance and either kept warm on the low heat or reheated gently when you need it. The garnish can be made ahead, ready for serving.
- Vegetarian option - replace the mince with minced mushrooms, crumbled tofu, or plant-based mince.
- Gluten-free option - use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Heat and spice - add more chilli oil or fresh chilli for a spicier kick. If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chilli oil and Sichuan peppercorns.
- This dan dan noodles recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh wheat noodles or thin egg noodles are traditional, but rice noodles or ramen noodles also work well.
Toast and grind fresh Sichuan peppercorns to release their numbing, citrusy aroma. Use them sparingly to balance the flavour.
Yes - both the sauce and meat topping freeze well. Keep them in airtight containers for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Serve with steamed vegetables, dumplings, or a simple cucumber salad for a complete meal.
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How to make these Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
Noodle base and sauce:
- 1 tsp sesame paste or tahini mixed with 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang black rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 750ml chicken stock
- 500g any wheat flour noodles (I use medium egg noodles)
- toasted sesame oil
Meat topping:
- 2 tbsp groundnut oil
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp freshly grated root ginger
- 1 medium red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
- 250g beef or pork mince
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
- 100g cornichons or cocktail gherkins in vinegar, drained and finely diced
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
Garnish:
- 1 tsp whole Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 large spring onion, finely sliced on the diagonal
- a small handful of fresh coriander, leaves and stalks finely chopped
- 1 tsp chilli oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Make the noodle base and sauce first - put the sesame paste or tahini mixture, the chilli oil and vinegar into a small wok or pan, add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low while you cook the noodles and make the meat topping and garnish.
- Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions then drain and toss them through with some toasted sesame oil. Put to one side.
- Now make the meat topping, heat a wok over a high heat and add the groundnut oil. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the minced beef. As the beef starts to turn brown, add the rice wine or sherry and cook for a few seconds. Stir in the cornichons or gherkins and cook until fragrant, then season with the soy sauce and keep on a very low heat.
- For the garnish, put the Sichuan peppercorns into a small pan and dry roast until fragrant, then remove from the heat and crush in a pestle and mortar, or place in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin
- To serve, divide the noodles between four bowls, then ladle on the sauce and top with the meat. Garnish with the Sichuan peppercorns, spring onion and coriander. Drizzle chilli oil over the dish, add a drizzle of sesame oil, to taste, around the edge of the sauce and serve immediately, with extra chilli oil if you like.
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Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
Noodle base and sauce:
- 1 tsp sesame paste or tahini mixed with 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1 tbsp Chinkiang black rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
- 750 ml (3 ¼ cups) chicken stock
- 500 g (1.1 lb) any wheat flour noodles (I use medium egg noodles)
- toasted sesame oil
Meat topping:
- 2 tbsp groundnut oil
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tbsp freshly grated root ginger
- 1 medium red chilli deseeded and finely chopped
- 250 g (8.8 oz) beef or pork mince
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cornichons or cocktail gherkins in vinegar drained and finely diced
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
Garnish:
- 1 tsp whole Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 large spring onion finely sliced on the diagonal
- a small handful of fresh coriander leaves and stalks finely chopped
- 1 tsp chilli oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Make the noodle base and sauce first - put the sesame paste or tahini mixture, the chilli oil and vinegar into a small wok or pan, add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low while you cook the noodles and make the meat topping and garnish.
- Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions then drain and toss them through with some toasted sesame oil. Put to one side.
- Now make the meat topping, heat a wok over a high heat and add the groundnut oil. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the minced beef. As the beef starts to turn brown, add the rice wine or sherry and cook for a few seconds. Stir in the cornichons or gherkins and cook until fragrant, then season with the soy sauce and keep on a very low heat.
- For the garnish, put the Sichuan peppercorns into a small pan and dry roast until fragrant, then remove from the heat and crush in a pestle and mortar, or place in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin
- To serve, divide the noodles between four bowls, then ladle on the sauce and top with the meat. Garnish with the Sichuan peppercorns, spring onion and coriander. Drizzle chilli oil over the dish, add a drizzle of sesame oil, to taste, around the edge of the sauce and serve immediately, with extra chilli oil if you like.
Notes
- Prepare and make ahead - the dish is very quick to cook so I'd highly recommend that you have all of the ingredients looked out and prepared beforehand. The noodle base and sauce can be made in advance and either kept warm on the low heat or reheated gently when you need it. The garnish can be made ahead, ready for serving.
- Vegetarian option - replace the mince with minced mushrooms, crumbled tofu, or plant-based mince.
- Gluten-free option - use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Heat and spice - add more chilli oil or fresh chilli for a spicier kick. If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of chilli oil and Sichuan peppercorns.
- This dan dan noodles recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less people.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The Sudden Cook says
Tnx for the recipe - I've always wanted to try this:)
Deborah says
You're very welcome! We really hope you enjoy making and eating it...it's delicious! Please rate the recipe once you've had a chance to make it 🙂