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Chinese Dan Dan Mein
Dan Dan Noodles, otherwise known as Dan Dan Mian, originate from Sichuan, China, and it has since become popular all over the world.
Sichuan, also spelled as Szechuan, is the birthplace of many Chinese foods we love: kung pao chicken, kung pao shrimp, hot and sour soup, etc. Sichuan cooking is famous for its intense and deep flavors.
I have tried many versions of Dan Dan Noodles, but the ones I have tried in Sichuan linger. Unlike the usual watered down versions, these noodles should be extremely flavorful, savory, nutty, spicy, and slightly sharp tasting. Read on to find out more about these noodles.
What Does Dan Dan Mean in Chinese?
Interesting fact: The original use of “dan dan” refers to the pole that vendors would use to sell this dish to others on the street. The dish was extremely affordable and the people gradually began to call the noodles “dan dan noodles” to refer to the pole.
The Different Kinds of Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles can be served dry or with soup, and some variations call for sesame paste and/or peanut butter. This specific recipe is served dry.
These noodles are so good that there are regional variations in Japan and Korea. My recipe calls for Mizkan brand condiments. It’s absolutely delicious and authentic, and I am sure you will love it!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post using Mizkan condiments.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is 793 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Dan Dan Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 oz (230g) fresh noodles
- 6 oz (175g) ground pork, beef, or chicken
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 dashes white pepper
- 2 stalks scallions (cut into rounds)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoons ground peanuts (for garnishing)
- fresh red chilies (sliced, for garnishing)
Chili Oil:
- 5 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons dried chili flakes
- 1/2 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorn
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Mizkan Ajipon Ponzu
- 2 tablespoons Mizkan Oigatsuo Tsuyu Soup Base (Green Label - No MSG)
- 2 tablespoons Mizkan Goma Shabu (Sesame Sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Mizkan Honteri Mirin
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled and very finely minced)
- 1/2 tablespoon white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to boil. Cook the fresh noodles until al dente, drained, briefly rinsed with cold water and set aside. You can get fresh noodles like the above at Asian markets.
- Mix the ground pork with salt, sesame oil, white pepper, and half of the chopped scallion. Set aside. Leave the other half of the scallion for garnishing.
- Prepare the chili oil first by heating up a small pot on high heat. Add the oil and heat up the oil until it becomes very hot. Turn off the heat and add the red chili flakes and Sichuan peppercorns into the oil. Cover the pot with its lid immediately as the oil will splatter. Wait for 5 minutes before removing the lid. Filter the chili oil using the filter.
- Prepare the Sauce by combining the Chili Oil and all the ingredients in the Sauce together. Whisk it to mix well.
- Transfer the noodles into the sauce pan, stir to combine well with the Sauce.
- To cook the ground pork, add 1 tablespoon of oil into a fry pan. When the oil is heated, add the ground pork into the pan and stir continuously to break up the lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the ground pork is cooked. Transfer the ground pork to the Dian Dian Mian and mix well.
- Transfer the noodles into two bowls. Top with some ground peanuts, scallions, and fresh red chilies. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Hi There!
A few questions about ingredients. I live where there is virtually no dedicated asian supermarkets such as a 99 ranch within a 100 mile radius of me, but I try to have a well stocked pantry of sauces and ingredients. I would really like to make this since it reminds me of what I use to eat as a kid whenever I’d visit Taiwan.
What can I use in place of the following:
Mizkan Oigatsuo Tsuyu Soup Base
Mizkan Goma Shabu
Also, are fresh noodles essential to this recipe or can I use dried?
Thanks for your help!
Soy sauce and Asian sesame dressing.
Dan Dan Noodles are a childhood favorite! I saw your pictures and my stomach immediately made a loud grumble. This looks so amazing! I can just imagine how the sauce sits on your lips for a moment as you slurp up the noodles. And I love the mouth tingling/numbing Sichuan peppercorns. Pinning for sure!
Do you have a YouTube chanel?
I have made this recipe twice now, once with ground beef and once with ground turkey. IMHO, the sauce came out too sweet for beef…but is was just about right for turkey. I did leave out the extra sugar the second time I made it and added a little extra vinegar.
I live in a city in Eastern Europe where it is sometimes difficult to find specialty ingredients for Asian cooking. I love the “Mizkan pantry” idea and brought back a whole set of sauces and condiments in my suitcase the last time I went home. All this recipe required in addition to the Mizkan sauces were some basic food items to make a great, fast meal. I have also made some of the bento dinners when our kitchen is in an Asian mood.
Tamar, that’s so great that you tried this recipe and make Mizkan as your all-Asian sauces! Thank you.
Are these similar to chow mein noodles or ramen noodles??
No not really.
I live near a Ranch 99 and a Japanese market. Is there a ingredient on the package I should be looking for to make these noodes?? I don’t remember seeing anything like this that isn’t ramen or chow mein. Thanks! Im anxious to try this recipe.
99 Ranch should have fresh noodles called Shanghai noodles. Get the thin ones.
Howdy Rasa Malaysia!
Thank you for your wonderful assortment of Asian recipes! I’m having some difficulty finding your ingredients here, in San Francisco. I usually shop at the Mai Wah Market on Clement St. Though I believe there are other locations where I can find your products here, but I’m lost! Any suggestions?
Hi Sherman, you are find Mizkan products at Japanese stores…or the bigger Asian stores like 99 Ranch. I have no problem getting them at 99 Ranch.
Where can one get Sichuan peppercorns? I looked for them in Ranch 99 Markets here in the bay area and did’t see them. Will I get them in China town? or Whole Foods perhaps?
Thanks for posting awesome recipes btw!!
Yes, I think you can get them in Chinatown. I found them at Ranch 99 markets here in SoCal.
Comfort food. I need one bowl so badly now.
With a blanket of snow of the ground, we need all the comfort food we can get here in Buffalo, NY! I mean, this looks better than Ramon noodles and it doesn’t get any better than that.
Thanks Laura, stay warm.
Is this the same as dandan noodles? Looks delicious.
Yes it’s the same. Mian means noodles in Chinese language.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I’ll have to give it all a try with gluten free pasta.