Better than takeout and incredibly simple to make at home is an authentic recipe for Dan Dan Noodles with real Szechuan spice. This Dan dan Mian recipe was influenced by a well-known neighborhood eatery that we frequently order from. You don’t want to miss this one!.
One of our household’s favorite foods is Chinese takeout. I prefer the noodle dishes the most and can typically finish an entire “serving” by myself. Now, a complete takeout serving is REALLY equivalent to 5 servings. But those noodles…. they get me every time. Every. Single. Time.
especially if they are spicy, like these simple to prepare Singapore Noodles made with leftover pork chops. Dan Dan Noodles, also known as Dan Dan Mian, are the only thing better than my favorite Singapore Mei Fun, and I can’t believe how simple it is to make them.
Dan Dan Noodles, also known as Dan Dan Mian, are one of the most well-liked street foods in Sichuan. consists of boiled egg noodles that are then tossed in a hot sauce that frequently includes Sichuan pepper, chili oil, preserved vegetables, and minced pork.
The noodles may be served dry, as we did, or may be served with additional sauce to transform them into more of a spicy soup or Hot Pot.
I decided to work on perfecting my recipe because I love Chinese food so much, and look how good it turned out! I wanted to try to replicate the noodles that are served at Han Dynasty, one of our favorite authentic Chinese restaurants.
PF Chang’s also serves Dan Dan Noodles, but I much prefer the dish at our neighborhood eatery.
These spicy noodles from Sichuan peppercorn oil and chili oil are anything but ordinary. The kimchi and crumbled, browned pork are the ideal complements to the rich sauce. this dish is heavenly.
Long noodles are a symbol of a long life and a staple (so, I’ve read) at Chinese New Year celebrations, making them the ideal “noodle” dish for the holiday.
Traditionally, a Dan Dan Noodle recipe calls for pork, but if you prefer a more vegetarian dish, you can omit the pork. However, I’m not sure if they are still Dan Dan Noodles, so allow me to say that. but they’re still very good!.
These noodles are kind of a meal in and of themselves, but if you want to add something to your carb-filled goodness, we do like to serve them with these Spicy Asian Chicken Wings or these Asian Glazed Chicken Legs.
We love this Asian Ramen Noodle Salad, though it’s not traditional, if you want to add a salad for some freshness. It’s fresh, light and easy…. and a hit with the kids, too!.
Although it’s unconventional, we also enjoy serving a side of spicy cucumber kimchi to add a light, fresh flavor.
Here are a few of our favorites if you want to eschew Chinese takeout more frequently:
This Hunan Shrimp recipe, which is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, might also be something you enjoy.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what else we’re whipping up in the kitchen!
Dan dan noodles are the “ultimate comfort food”
When asked to explain why dan dan newbies should incorporate this dish into their winter dining traditions, owner Maiko Kyogoku and chef Emily Yuen of Bessou in NYC had a simple answer: “[Dan dan noodles] are the ultimate winter comfort food that’s satisfying on so many levels.”
Chef/owners Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of the cleverly named DanDan in Milwaukee, WI agree, adding that “[dan dan noodles are] made with noodles and ground meat, so they’re a very approachable dish for newcomers. There’s something about the dish that makes it so good but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Perhaps because it’s similar to Bolognese, which is super approachable for most people.”
Dan dan noodles are extremely customizable
Because they’re worried about finding the “right” ingredients, some home cooks are hesitant to try dishes like dan dan noodles. Chef and recipe creator ChihYu Smith of I Heart Umami, however, advises beginning cooks to use dan dan recipes as models, substituting and omitting ingredients according to their preferences and the products they have access to. “Please don’t feel intimidated by the ingredients. It’s easy to swap them with what you have handy. For example: swap ground pork for ground chicken or turkey. Use dill pickles to replace Chinese pickled sour mustard greens. Sichuan peppercorns are increasingly well-liked in the West. You can locate them online or in neighborhood Chinese grocers. For a similar flavor, Smith insists that you can also use freshly ground black pepper and lemon zest as a substitute.
Homemade chili oil
Every Sichuan family’s kitchen has chili oil, and the home-made variety is essential. It is the primary component of dan dan noodles, and I strongly advise you to make your own. Making chili oil may seem difficult at first, but it only takes five minutes. Check out this post to learn how.
NOTE: Even if you don’t like spicy food, you can still use the homemade chili oil to cook with. You can add a small amount of chili oil to the noodle sauce to add flavor and smoke without making the dish overly spicy.
FAQ
How do you eat dan dan noodles?
Pour some sauce and chili oil into a small bowl and assemble the dan dan noodles as a local would. Add the noodles. Add chopped pork, greens, crushed peanuts, and green onions on top. Mix and enjoy!.
Do you eat dan dan noodles hot or cold?
“Dan dan noodles are not only a hot dish, but the level of spice also helps to warm your body.” Red Sichuan peppercorns and red pepper flakes are used as the primary seasoning in our chili oil.
Why does your tongue go numb from Dan Dan noodles?
Your tongue will start to tingle and go slightly numb after devouring half the dish, thanks to the hydroxy-alpha-sanshool molecule found in the Szechuan peppercorn.
Are Dan Dan noodles an appetizer?
This recipe is a part of Chinese Restaurant Appetizer Week. Making your own roasted chili oil may be the key to making excellent Dan Dan Noodles.
