Easy Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles

Prep: 25 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Total: 30 mins

Servings: 3 to 4

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.” —Diana Andrews

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

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

Gather the ingredients.
In a small mixing bowl, add the sesame paste, sesame oil, and black rice vinegar. Whisk to combine.
Continue whisking as you add the remaining sauce ingredients. Taste and add sugar if needed.
Cook the dried noodles according to the package directions. Drain in a colander. (Do not rinse unless the package directions say to do so.)
Place the noodles in a large (preferably warm) bowl. Whisk the sauce again and then stir it into the noodles.
Dish the noodles into individual bowls and garnish with the chopped peanuts and spring onions.

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.

Why is it called Dan Dan noodles?

"Dan Dan" refers to the bamboo poles that street food vendors would use to carry and sell this popular Szechuan snack.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories	910
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g	30%
Saturated Fat 3g	17%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1139mg	50%
Total Carbohydrate 144g	52%
Dietary Fiber 8g	29%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 3mg	13%
Calcium 84mg	6%
Iron 7mg	40%
Potassium 621mg	13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.