Easy Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles
Dan dan noodles is a typical spicy Szechuan dish. The classic recipe includes fresh noodles and a meat topping made with ground pork or beef and (usually) Szechuan preserved vegetables. But there are many variations of this Southwestern Chinese dish, including this one without any meat.
The one thing you’ll find in every recipe for dan dan noodles is a spicy sauce that includes sesame paste and hot chili oil. Most recipes include roasted Szechuan peppercorn, although sometimes it’s left out of the sauce and served as a garnish instead.
This quick and easy recipe for dan dan noodles combines the spicy sauce with dried Chinese noodles. You can, of course, substitute dried spaghetti if desired.
“This dish was perfectly spiced, with the option to make it spicier if desired. I love the numbing quality of the ground Szechuan peppercorns, but if you haven’t experienced the sensation before, use the recommended amount in the recipe and increase it to your taste after that. Everything married vary nicely together.”
Ingredients
For the Sauce
3 tablespoons Chinese sesame paste, tahini, or peanut butter
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons black rice vinegar
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground roasted Szechuan peppercorn, more to taste
1 tablespoon hot chili oil, or to taste
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon granulated sugar, more to taste, optional
For the Noodles
12 ounces dried Chinese noodles
1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped, for garnish
3 small spring onions, finely chopped, for garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
Easy Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles ingredients in bowls
In a small mixing bowl, add the sesame paste, sesame oil, and black rice vinegar. Whisk to combine.
Sesame paste, sesame oil, and black rice vinegar mixture in a bowl, with a whisk
Continue whisking as you add the remaining sauce ingredients. Taste and add sugar if needed.
Dan Dan Noodle sauce in a bowl with a whisk
Cook the dried noodles according to the package directions. Drain in a colander. (Do not rinse unless the package directions say to do so.)
Noodles in a colander
Place the noodles in a large (preferably warm) bowl. Whisk the sauce again and then stir it into the noodles.
Dan Dan Noodles in a glass bowl
Dish the noodles into individual bowls and garnish with the chopped peanuts and spring onions.
Easy Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles on plates
Tips
It is ideal to use Chinese sesame paste in this recipe, but it can be difficult to find. You can substitute tahini, which is also a sesame paste, or use peanut butter which has a similar flavor.
Szechuan peppercorn adds a sharp bite to the sauce. How much to use comes down to personal preference. If you’re unsure, start with 1/2 teaspoon and do a taste test. You can also leave it out of the sauce altogether and serve on the side as a condiment, allowing everyone to help themselves.
Although the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of hot chili oil, feel free to adjust the amount based on the level of spiciness preferred.
Recipe Variations
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds to enhance the nutty flavor of the dish.
Leave out the roasted Szechuan peppercorn from the sauce and serve as a condiment on the side or sprinkle over the noodles as a garnish.
To turn this into a vegetarian main dish, add an assortment of raw vegetables, such as mung bean sprouts and sliced carrot and/or cucumber.
How to Store
Dan Dan Noodles are best eaten freshly made. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Eat cold or reheat gently in the microwave.
