Dan Dan Noodles (Dan Dan Mian/担担面) is another classic Sichuan dish that one shouldn’t miss out when you’re in Chengdu. While Dan Dan Noodles are easily available in many Chinese restaurants nowadays, nothing beats having a bowl in its place of origin…the taste and authenticity triumph it all.
When my Dan Dan noodles came, I wasn’t sure of it because of the plain look (pictured below). After I mixed the noodles with the spicy mala sauce (similar to the sauce on bon-bon chicken), the flavors started to develop and shine through. The ground pork and crushed peanuts paired with the noodles so well that I finished my serving in no time and asked for more…
Dan Dan noodles can be found at many street food joints all over Chengdu. Approximately RMB5 per bowl.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
You know each time i see the food you ate in China, makes me want to take a plane and fly to china to have the dleicous food.
Well one can dream and also drool here.
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Noodles!!! Yes please!
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Hehe ;)
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I luv this noodle. It makes me so hungry looking at it now…….
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Oooh those bowls of noodles served in Chengdu are huge! Remembered we had trouble asking for spoons since they don’t usually provide that utensil.
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
You’re right! I did notice they don’t give you spoons. I just picked up the bowl and slurped it all :P
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A big bowl of noodles: it’s just what I need after a long and rainy day! I miss China and it’s delicious cooking!
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Food in Chengdu is definitely what we all need on long and rainy days :)
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Why can’t I have one right now? :(
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Aren’t there many good Sichuan restaurants in NY?
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Noodles look so tasty and full of flavor… can I have a bowl, please?
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Dear Rasa,
I have benefit and enjoyed alot from your web, but recently I could not get any recipes. I have subscribed with Feedburner, they do send me notices whenever new post is out, but without any recipes. Can you guide me how to get your recipes. Thank you and Good Days
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Hi Jessie. Thanks for dropping me a comment. I have been on business trip the past 4 weeks. Going home this weekend. Stay tuned as I have some new recipes coming when I get back to my kitchen :)
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You make something so simple look and sound so absolutely yummy!
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
It is very yummy and indeed quite simple. I will try to make it when I’m back in US and share the recipe with you all.
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I loooove dan dan mian! Although I’ve never tried the ‘dry’ version, only the noodle soup. I’ve been looking all over the place for a good, authentic dan dan recipe but am running low on my luck. I really hope hope you try making it and post about it one day :)
Anyway, gorge photography as always.
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Stay tuned as I now had the real thing, I will try out the recipe when I’m back in US.
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My mum loves dan dan mien. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to try it. The one in your picture looks absolutely scrumptious.
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Rasa,
Would you please post your recipe for Dan-Dan Noodles and Bon-Bon Chicken when you get the time and are back at home? I have seen a few recipes, but I think that yours would be much better, have photos, and be easier to follow. I have tried from this recipe and it did not work well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y9AywSz8Es
Thank you :)
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Yes, just got back home. I will start working on this recipe as soon as I get over my jetlag :)
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gosh…i love this…too bad they don’t have good dan dan mian here in sydney…
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
I get them mostly from the Taiwanese restaurants here in LA, and their version of dan dan noodle is different, less spicy.
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Rasa,
First time I tried “Dan Dan Mien” was at a restaurant in Hobart, I absolutely love it. Went back to the same restaurant a second time, and a third time. But was not that happy the third time. I could (and certain) that I tasted peanut butter in the sauce (which was quite clumpy). But the waitress told me it is not and that it could be sesame oil! I can tell you that it looks different from your photo. It is a soup version and gets thicker as you start eating the noodle. I think the minced pork may have been cooked with flour, which thicken the soup as you progressively stirred the noodle to eat.
Like the other readers of yours, I look forward to your post on the recipe. Thanks.
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Maybe it’s the same version we got here in California. Stay tuned for my recipe :)
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these noodle look fantastic.
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i demand a bowl of dan dan noodles NOW~~~~~haha
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I don’t really like peanuts in my noodles. Maybe I have not tried the really good Dan Dan mian….hmmmm….
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
I think that’s really personal preference. I don’t enjoy the peanuts in noodles much, too. But my hubby loves it!
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Oodles of noodles in rich sauce. I think I would like two have two bowlfuls right now with rice and some ice cold green tea. I wonder if the Chinese restaurant I frequent have Dan Dan Mien in their menu? I sure hope they do.
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Would like recipe for dan dan mein too
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I just found this great site when I was looking a dan dan mian recipe. Have you been able to post it yet? I will keep searching your site.
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Rasa Malaysia replied:
Sorry, I don’t really have a dan dan mian recipe.
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Thanks for letting me know! I would to have one. What do you think of this one:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/09/penjing-report-and-fending-off-death-by-starvation/
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