Dan Dan Noodles

A simple, yet flavorful Dan Dan Noodles recipe that shares characteristics with our Zhajiangmian Noodles (Fried Sauce Noodles) dish. Thick, chewy noodles are dressed in a deep, complex, and gently spiced umami-flavored sauce, turning every bite into a delicious treat.

 

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 20 minutes – Total Time: 30 minutes

Helpful equipment

• Sauté pan, wok, or similar pan

Ingredients

• 8 oz. thick, chewy wheat noodles
• 1/2 lb. ground pork
• Shaoxing wine or chicken stock for deglazing
• oil
• 1 tbsp. garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated or minced
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar/substitute or more to taste
• 1/8 tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/8 tsp dark soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 3/4 tsp chili garlic sauce or more to taste
• 1.5 tsp fermented soybean paste
• 1/8 tsp white pepper powder or more to taste
• 2 Shiitake mushrooms, sliced, fresh or rehydrated
• cornstarch slurry: 2 tbsp. cornstarch + 2 tbsp. water
• 4 scallions, diced

Instructions

Step 1

Cook the noodles per the instructions on the bag until al dente, then run them under cold water and set aside to drain. 

Step 2

Over high heat in a pan, fry the ground pork, breaking it up into pieces. Discard any fats, juices, and impurities that arise. Splash a dash of Shaoxing wine over the pork, stir, and let the liquid evaporate, while scraping away at the brown bits on the bottom. Set aside the cooked ground pork.  

Step 3

Lower the pan's heat to medium, add a teaspoon of oil along with garlic and ginger. Cook the aromatics until sizzling and fragrant.  

Step 4

Add the ground pork back to the pan, in addition to sugar/substitute and Sichuan peppercorn powder. Toss and incorporate the ingredients thoroughly into the pork. 

Step 5

Pour in the water, chicken stock, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Stir in chili garlic sauce, white pepper, and the fermented soybean paste, mixing thoroughly. Bring the pan to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Drop in the sliced Shiitake mushrooms, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in salt and the cornstarch slurry. Remove the pan from heat when the sauce has thickened. Mix in the green onions. Plate by serving the sauce over noodles. Optionally, you may garnish with sesame seeds, peanuts, and hot chili oil.

Notes

• Noodles: Chewy, medium, or thick noodles can be found in Asian grocery stores. Ramen noodles or Korean-style Jjajangmyeon noodles also serve as substitutes Or, make your own healthy, homemade noodles tailored to your preferred thickness.
• Chili garlic sauce: A very popular and common condiment available everywhere, brands such as Lee Kum Kee Chili Garlic sauce and Sambal Oelek are good fits.
• Fermented soybean paste: Korean fermented soybean paste brands or similar pastes/sauces.