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Dan Dan Noodles with Sesame Paste

A close-up of a bowl of Dan Dan Noodles with Sesame, featuring noodles tossed in chili oil and topped with savory ground meat, green onions, and crushed peanuts.
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A recipe for classic Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles featuring a rich, nutty sauce made with sesame paste, chili oil, and savory ground pork.

Ingredients

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  • 1 lb fresh or dried wheat noodles
  • 8 oz ground pork
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (for pork)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (for pork)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup preserved mustard greens (ya cai), chopped (or substitute with finely chopped pickled radish)
  • 1/4 cup Chinese sesame paste (or tahini)
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp ground Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1/4 cup chili oil with sediment (lao gan ma style)
  • 2 tbsp reserved noodle cooking water
  • 1/4 cup crushed roasted peanuts (for topping)
  • 2 stalks scallions, green parts only, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Mix the ground pork with 1 tbsp soy sauce and cornstarch. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the sauce base: In the bottom of four individual serving bowls, combine the sesame paste, 3 tbsp light soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil. Do not mix yet.
  3. Cook the pork topping: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it up, until browned and slightly crispy.
  4. Add garlic, ginger, and preserved mustard greens to the pork. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Cook the noodles: Boil the noodles according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the hot cooking water.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Pour 1/2 tablespoon of the reserved hot noodle water into each serving bowl over the sauce mixture. Stir the sauce vigorously until it emulsifies into a smooth, creamy base.
  7. Divide the drained noodles evenly among the four bowls.
  8. Top each bowl generously with the cooked pork mixture.
  9. Garnish with crushed peanuts and chopped scallions. Toss well before eating.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground pork with crumbled firm tofu seasoned with soy sauce and cooked until dry.
  • Adjust the amount of chili oil to control the spice level.
  • Use Chinese sesame paste (which is roasted sesame seeds) for the most authentic nutty flavor; tahini is a suitable substitute if Chinese paste is unavailable.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonfulsnap.com/dan-dan-noodles-with-sesame/