Name: Dan dan noodles (spicy sichuan noodles)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 200 gr beef mince; 1 red chili (seeds removed); 2 cloves garlic (chopped); 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce; 2 tbsp hot chili sauce; 150 gr yakisoba noodles; 1 bok choy (chopped); 2 spring onions (sliced); 1 tbsp sesame seeds (roasted); oil for stir frying

This easy version of dan dan noodles (dan dan mian) is delicious and spicy and on the table in no time at all.

Dan dan noodles

This dan dan noodle recipe is one of my favorites and the good news is that it is a really quick dish too. The street food dish originates from Sichuan cuisine although this is not an entirely authentic recipe. Dan dan noodles get their name from the fact that street vendors in the region carried this particular dish in baskets hanging from the end of the pole. Eventually the dish was named after the carrying pole. There is a soup version as well but that is more common in other parts of China. Originally there should also be sichuan peppercorns in the dish and if you happen to have those, that is a great addition.

Dan dan noodles
What do you need for making the dan dan noodles?
How to make the dandan noodles?
Additions and variations
Are you a fan of noodles?

I didn’t have them so I opted to make the dan dan noodles without the peppercorns. It’s spicy food so if you don’t like your food all too spicy you might want to change things around a bit. More on that later.

What do you need for making the dan dan noodles?

You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make this dan dan recipe. You need Chinese noodles, obviously. But to be honest they can be made with any kind of noodles you like and have. Egg noodles, rice noodles, thin noodles, ramen noodles or whatever other noodle you have. I used yakisoba noodles as that was what I had on hand. But I’ve made them with other noodles as well.

For making the spicy sauce I used sweet soy sauce but you can also use dark soy sauce in combination with some honey. Hoisin sauce would also be delicious. Apparently there is also an American style version out there that uses peanut butter in the sauce. Sounds pretty good to me too.

I used a combination of the sweet soy with a spicy chili sauce. You can mix the two together in a small bowl or just add it into the pan straight away.

I also used garlic cloves and red chili pepper. Crispy chili oil is a great addition here and you can actually buy that ready made from most asian market places or asian grocery stores.

As far as vegetables go I’ve used bok choy here but traditionally it is also served with mustard greens or other leafy greens.

How to make the dandan noodles?

Making the noodles starts with making the crispy pork mince. Or at least it should technically be crispy ground pork, but I went with beef. Pork mince is not easily found here, so I went with beef. Pork has more fat so that will actually be tastier and won’t dry out so easily.

You add the oil to a large skillet and add the mince. Stir fry for about 10 minutes or until browned and crispy. Now add the garlic and the red chili or use red pepper flakes instead. if using sichuan peppercorns crush them first in a pestle and mortar before adding into the pan.

Now add your sauces and stir fry for an additional few minutes. Remove the mince from the pan.

If necessary add a bit more oil and then stir fry the vegetables. Once cooked or wilted (depending on what you’re using) add the meat back in and stir it around. Add black pepper if you want and serve the dan dan noodles with sesame seeds and green onions.

Additions and variations

Like I said this is not a recipe for authentic dan dan noodles. If you want a more traditional one check here. I just made an easy dan dan version that still has most of the original flavors but is easier to recreate at home. But of course feel free to add chinese sesame pasta, sui mi ya cai (pickled vegetables) and some other original ingredients. Apparently the real dish requires quite a few extra’s. You can start by cooking the noodles in chicken stock instead of salted water. And using a homemade chili oil is also a great addition which I have to still try for myself.

What is the original dan dan sauce made of?

Originally the sauce is made with sichuan peppercorn powder, chinese black vinegar, soy sauce, chinese sesame paste, chilli oil.

Can I keep the dandan noodles?

If you have leftovers from the dan dan noodles you can definitely keep it in the fridge and reheat within one or two days.

Are you a fan of noodles?

Try these delicious noodle recipes as well: And if you’re into spicy stuff, make sure to check the piri piri sauce, gochujang and harissa recipes as well.