Chewy egg noodles tossed in a savoury sesame and soy sauce, topped with fragrant minced pork, preserved Chinese vegetables and Sichuan pepper. Chilli oil adds optional heat and a distinctive spicy finish.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Cuisine: Chinese
Course: Main Dish
Tags: Noodle Recipes · Sichuan Recipes · Pork Recipes · Spicy Recipes
Ingredients
For the Pork Topping
- 200g minced pork
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 1 spring onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
- 2 tbsp preserved Chinese vegetables
- 2–3 tbsp cooking oil
For the Noodles
- 250g egg noodles
- 2 tbsp noodle cooking water
For the Dan Dan Sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese sesame paste or peanut butter
- 4 tbsp hot water
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- ½ tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Chiu Chow chilli oil (optional)
To Serve
- Chopped spring onion
Method
1. Cook the pork
Heat 2–3 tbsp cooking oil in a wok over high heat.
Add the minced pork and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
Add the minced garlic, ginger and chopped spring onion.
Stir-fry for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
2. Season the pork
Add the preserved Chinese vegetables, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and ground Sichuan pepper.
Stir-fry for another 1 minute, until everything is well combined and the pork is fully cooked.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Prepare the Dan Dan sauce
Add the sesame paste or peanut butter and hot water to a bowl.
Mix until smooth.
Add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar, sugar and chilli oil, if using.
Mix well and set aside.
4. Cook the noodles
Cook the egg noodles according to the packet instructions.
Before draining, reserve some of the noodle cooking water.
Drain the noodles and add them to the bowl with the Dan Dan sauce.
Add 2 tbsp of the reserved noodle water and toss well until the noodles are evenly coated.
5. Assemble the noodles
Divide the noodles between two serving bowls.
Top each bowl with the cooked minced pork.
6. Serve
Garnish with chopped spring onion and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the heat: Chilli oil is optional. Add more if you prefer a hotter Dan Dan noodle dish.
- Use sesame paste: Chinese sesame paste gives the sauce a deeper, nuttier flavour. Peanut butter can be used as an alternative.
- Don't skip the noodle water: A little starchy cooking water helps loosen the sauce and coat the noodles evenly.
- For more Sichuan flavour: Increase the ground Sichuan pepper slightly for a stronger numbing, aromatic flavour.
- Serve immediately: Dan Dan noodles are best eaten while the noodles and pork are hot.
