Chef Jing Gao's Favorite Dan Dan Noodle Recipe

When it comes to classic Chinese comfort food, dan dan noodles are one of the most famous and versatile dishes that have made their way around the world. They can be cooked as a soup or without broth, but no matter what extra flavors or ingredients you add, dan dan noodles are a delicious treat you can make right at home. 

Dan dan noodles are also an easy dish to adjust, so if you’re looking to meet dietary restrictions, this might be the recipe for you. Use gluten-free noodles, remove the meat, and substitute the broth for a vegetable alternative, and you’ll have a great dan dan noodle dish to fit just about any diet—without losing the bold tastes and savory flavors. 

Here at Fly By Jing, we make it easy to recreate your favorite Chinese dishes right in your own kitchen. That’s why we offer the spices and ingredients you’re sure to enjoy, as well as the recipes we love, so you can create great dishes like dan dan noodles yourself. 

What Are Dan Dan Noodles?

Dan dan noodles, sometimes referred to as dandan noodles or dandanmian, get their unique spicy and umami flavor from preserved vegetables. Like many Sichuan dishes, dan dan noodles have a spicy taste, derived from Sichuan peppers and chili oil. There are many different evolutions of the dish, and you can adjust the heat level or add flavors like peanut butter or sesame paste to make it your own. 

History of Dan Dan Noodles

Dan dan noodles have a unique and exciting history that can be traced back to the street vendors of the Sichuan region of China. The story goes that in the 1840s, a man named Chen Baobao was traveling by foot and saw many villagers selling food along the roadside. 

One of the things that makes dan dan noodles so iconic is their delivery. When sold as street food, dan dan noodles are carried on large bamboo poles, known as dans. Two baskets are attached to the pole, one for carrying the food and one for carrying the cookware.

Use of the baskets has changed and evolved over the years as the dish became more popular, but the name as a reference to the poles remains. There are several translations of the dish’s name, including “noodles carried on a pole” and “peddler’s noodles.” 

Chen Baobao wanted to make an inexpensive dish that could be cooked on the road, hence the second basket for his cookware. He decided on an easy dish of noodles, soup, and bean sprouts, which soon became a staple of the region and beyond. 

Chen Baobao eventually opened his own shop and dan dan noodles spread in popularity, with each region adding its own flavors and approaches to the popular dish. Dumplings, minced meat, and other flavors were added or substituted, but the base of the dish remained the same. Bean paste, chili oil, peppers, and bean sprouts make up the foundation for one of these all-beloved dishes, and you can try it at home today. 

Ingredients

While the ingredients in dan dan noodles are relatively simple, it’s important to know why they pair together so well and what to look for when picking them up at the store or ordering them from our shop. Here are the ingredients you’ll find in our Fly By Jing Recipe for dan dan noodles. 

Noodles

1 lb noodles of your choice, usually thin dried Chinese wheat noodles 

Sauce 

2 tbsp chili oil with bits 

1 tbsp light soy sauce 

1 tbsp dark soy sauce 

1/2 tsp ground roasted Sichuan pepper (adjusted for Sichuan pepper heat) 

2 tbsp thinly sliced scallion greens 

Meat topping 

100 grams of ground pork or beef 

2 tbsp Yibin Yacai 

Oil for frying 

5 pieces of dried chilis

1 tsp Sichuan pepper whole 

1 tsp light soy sauce 

1 tsp dark soy sauce 

Chinese Wheat Noodles

You have many different Chinese noodle options to pick from, and it’s okay to mix and match, depending on the recipe you’re cooking. For dan dan noodles, however, it’s important to buy Chinese wheat noodles, like lo mein, udon, or wonton noodles. Chinese wheat noodles only take about three to five minutes to cook, but they achieve that delicious chewy texture that is great for a dish often served in broth.  

Sichuan Peppers

Sichuan peppers and chili oil are what give dan dan noodles that classic Sichuan cuisine heat. You’ll want to have them in your kitchen for many delicious home-cooked Chinese dishes. If you’re looking to make the dish hotter or milder, depending, then adjust the amount of peppers you use and account for how hot they are. 

Yibin Yacai 

Yibin Yacai is one of the most important parts of your homecooked dan dan noodle dish—and it can be one of the most challenging to get your hands on, as well. It is a type of pickled vegetable that you’ll find in many Sichuan dishes, particularly of the mustard green variety. In addition to capturing the umami flavor that makes dan dan noodles so unique, yibin Yacai also adds texture to the dish. 

You can mix yibin yacai with many unique flavors and achieve sweetness, a savory taste, and spice, depending upon the combination. There are ways to make it at home if you want to try, but it takes time and patience. If you can find a market or online shop that sells it, stock up! 

Recipe for Dan Dan Noodles

Once you have all of your ingredients on hand, it’s time to put together this delicious recipe! As it was made for travelers on the go, the process is relatively straight-forward, but adjust, taste, and evolve the recipe to fit your palate as you cook. 

Step 1. Heat up oil in a wok. When the oil is hot, add dried chili and Sichuan pepper and fry until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the pepper. 

Step 2. Add Yibin Yacai and stir fry until fragrant. Next, add your meat and your soy sauces. Fry until the meat browns, but don’t let it get dry. 

Step 3. Add all sauce ingredients into a bowl and mix. 

Step 4. Cook noodles until slightly al dente. 

Step 5. Assemble by putting noodles in a bowl, topping with meat, scallions, and ground Sichuan pepper to taste. 

What Pairs Well With Dan Dan Noodles?

While dan dan noodles were originally eaten on the go, you can make them into a celebratory sit-down meal for your family and friends with ease. Here are a few dishes that will pair well with your favorite dan dan noodles. 

Sweet Potato and Pork Dumplings

Dumplings go well with just about every dish, especially since they’re so versatile and can be easily adjusted to match the palate of the meal. Sweet potato dumplings can balance out some of the heat and spice of the dan dan noodles while still delivering on your favorite bold and savory flavors. 

Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancakes are another one of those delicious dishes that balance out some of the heat of Sichuan cuisine with a more mild flavor that’s easy to adjust to match your main meal. You’ll also enjoy the balance of textures, thanks to the crispy and chewy textures of your scallion pancakes. 

Cucumber Salad

A Chinese cucumber salad is actually an excellent companion dish for many Sichuan meals. It’s great for balancing both hot weather and hot foods, and it’s incredibly versatile, so you can adjust the flavors and ingredients as you see fit. 

With cucumber salad, it’s all about texture, but you’ll also get to enjoy delicious Chinese flavor profiles like sesame oil, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Once you have a good cucumber salad recipe in your repertoire, you can make it as an easy and delicious side for many of your favorite Chinese food dishes. 

In Conclusion 

Dan dan noodles have a humble start, but they have long been a food of the people, thanks to their inexpensive nature and versatility. It’s little wonder that they became such a sensation, and due to their popularity, there are many unique and delicious approaches to their classic flavors that you can try out at home with ease. 

Here at Fly By Jing, we want to share not only our favorite spices and oils, as we’ve created them for your kitchen, but also our favorite recipes and the histories associated with regional Chinese cuisine and the western Chinese dining experience. That’s why we’re sharing our recipe for this classic dish and the important ingredients that make up the flavors you’re sure to love. 

Sources: 

Tracing The Origin: Hong Kong's Dan Dan Noodles | Michelin Guide 

The Serious Eats Guide to Shopping for Asian Noodles | Serious Eats 

Bring On the (Preserved Vegetable) Funk | Cooks Illustrated