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ChinaTraditional

Dan Dan Noodles

A spicy, numbing Sichuan classic featuring wheat noodles tossed in a rich sauce of chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, preserved vegetables, and minced pork.

20 minIntermediate2 servings
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Dan Dan Noodles

Origin & history

Named after the 'dan dan' (carrying poles) used by street vendors in Chengdu to carry their cooking equipment and ingredients, this dish has evolved from a simple street snack to a global favorite.

Ingredients

2

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Sauce

Topping

Noodles

The method

Step by step

3 steps
  1. 01

    Prepare Sauce

    5 min

    Combine chili oil, soy sauce, sesame paste, and ground peppercorns in the bottom of the serving bowl.

    Adjust chili oil to your heat preference.

  2. 02

    Cook Noodles

    5 min

    Boil noodles until al dente. Drain and place directly into the sauce bowl.

    Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce.

  3. 03

    Assemble

    2 min

    Top with browned pork and preserved vegetables. Mix well before eating.

    Garnish with scallions.

Chef tips

  • — Use high-quality Sichuan peppercorns for the authentic numbing effect.

Common mistakes

  • — Using too much salt; the preserved vegetables are already salty.

Substitutions

  • Pork → MushroomsFor a vegetarian version.

Storage & serving

Store sauce and noodles separately.

Serve immediately, mixing thoroughly at the table.

Food safety

Ensure pork is fully cooked. Use caution with high-heat stir-frying.

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