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Spicy Dan Dan Noodles

These dan dan noodles are full of layered chili oil, sesame paste, and even tangy black vinegar flavors. Mixed with sauteed and seasoned rich minced pork, fresh greens, and tender wheat noodles, you'll want a second serving.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 92493 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: Asian , Chinese , Taiwanese

Ingredients

Dan dan sauce
  • 2 2 tbsp sesame paste
  • 2 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 1 tbsp Chili oil
  • 1 1 tbsp minced garlic 
  • 1 1 tbsp black rice vinegar
  • 2 2 tsp white cane sugar
  • ½ ½ tsp five spice powder
  • ½ ½ tsp Sichuan pepper powder
  • hot water optional
Seasoned pork
  • 1 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 2 2 tsp sweet bean sauce
  • 2 2 tsp light soy sauce
  • ¼ ¼ tsp white pepper
  • ½ ½ tsp five spice
  • ½ ½ tsp white cane sugar
  • neutral oil
  • 1 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 1 tsp minced garlic 
  • 16 16 oz ground pork
  • ½ ½ c Sui Mi Ya Cai pickled mustard greens
Noodles and greens
  • water
  • ice
  • 1 1 bunch Choy Sum or bok choy or spinach
  • 1 1 lb Shanghai-style noodles fresh or dried
Assembly
  • Chili oil
  • scallions sliced thinly
  • chopped roasted peanuts
  • fried shallots

Instructions

Dan dan sauce
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dan dan sauce (except the water): 2 tbsp sesame paste, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili oil, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp black rice vinegar, 2 tsp white cane sugar, ½ tsp five spice powder, and ½ tsp Sichuan pepper powder. Use a spoon to thoroughly mix and incorporate all the ingredients.
Seasoned pork
  1. In another bowl, combine the liquid seasonings for the pork: 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 tsp sweet bean sauce, 2 tsp light soy sauce, ¼ tsp white pepper, ½ tsp five spice, and ½ tsp white cane sugar. Use a spoon to mix thoroughly.
  2. In a saute pan over medium heat, add one tablespoon of neutral oil.
  3. Add the 1 tsp minced garlic and 1 tsp minced ginger. Cook for about one minute or until fragrant.
  4. Add the 16 oz ground pork and cook for 3-5 minutes or until browned and caramelized. There should not be any pink showing.
  5. Pour the pork liquid seasoning over the meat and cook for 1-2 minutes. Taste test the meat and adjust for seasoning.
  6. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
  7. In the same pan, add one teaspoon of neutral oil and add the ½ c sui mi ya cai. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat the pickles. Transfer to another plate.
Noodles and greens
  1. Add water to a large pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Cook the 1 bunch choy sum until tender, about 2-3 minutes, or when you can pierce the greens with a fork, and there is still some resistance on the stem.
  3. Using tongs or a strainer, transfer the greens to an ice water bath and let sit for one minute. Do not discard the boiling water because we’ll need it to boil the noodles. Strain the greens and set aside.
  4. In the same pot of boiling water used for cooking greens, add the 1 lb Shanghai-style noodles and cook until tender (or based on the instructions from the package). My fresh Shanghai noodles cooked in about 8-10 minutes.
  5. Transfer the noodles to a strainer and rinse under cool water. Repeat for more batches of noodles.
  6. Optional: keep the starchy hot water to dilute the dan dan sauce.
Assembly
  1. Divide the sauce into soup bowls. If you want to dilute the sauce with the starchy water, do so now.
  2. Place the noodles and greens in the bowl.
  3. Add the seasoned pork on top, and more toppings if you prefer: chili oil, scallions, chopped roasted peanuts, and fried shallots.
  4. Using chopsticks and a soup spoon, mix the noodles and ingredients in the bowl thoroughly and serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories 924.93kcal (46%) Carbohydrates 82.78g (28%) Protein 35.96g (72%) Fat 49.45g (76%) Saturated Fat 18.66g (93%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5.98g Monounsaturated Fat 22.27g Cholesterol 81.65mg (27%) Sodium 3277.37mg (137%) Potassium 777.71mg (22%) Fiber 3.88g (16%) Sugar 6.01g (12%) Vitamin A 70.36IU (1%) Vitamin C 66.2mg (74%) Calcium 200.72mg (20%) Iron 7.56mg (42%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 92493

% Daily Value*

Calories 924.93kcal 46%
Carbohydrates 82.78g 28%
Protein 35.96g 72%
Fat 49.45g 76%
Saturated Fat 18.66g 93%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.98g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 22.27g 111%
Cholesterol 81.65mg 27%
Sodium 3277.37mg 137%
Potassium 777.71mg 17%
Fiber 3.88g 16%
Sugar 6.01g 12%
Vitamin A 70.36IU 1%
Vitamin C 66.2mg 74%
Calcium 200.72mg 20%
Iron 7.56mg 42%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.