Dan Dan Mian (Dan Dan Noodles) is a popular Sichuan street food dish known for its bold flavors and spicy, savory sauce. The name “Dan Dan” refers to the traditional bamboo pole (dan dan) that street vendors used to carry the noodles and sauce in baskets while selling them.

The dish typically consists of wheat noodles served in a spicy, flavorful sauce made from chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, soy sauce, sesame paste, and vinegar. It is often topped with minced pork or beef, preserved vegetables, crushed peanuts, and fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions.

Dan Dan Mian is famous for its combination of spicy, numbing (from the Sichuan peppercorns), salty, sour, and umami flavors. The heat from the chili oil and the numbing sensation from the peppercorns are signature elements of Sichuan cuisine, creating a uniquely mouth-tingling experience. The noodles can be served either dry or with a small amount of broth, depending on the recipe or personal preference.

Here’s a recipe for making Dan Dan Mian (Dan Dan Noodles) from scratch, including how to prepare the noodles, sauce, and toppings.

INGREDIENTS

For the Noodles:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup water (adjust as needed)
• ¼ tsp salt

For the Sauce:

• 2 tbsp sesame paste (tahini can be used as a substitute)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp black vinegar (Chinkiang vinegar is ideal)
• 1 tbsp chili oil (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (optional for extra richness)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, ground
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2-3 tbsp hot water (to thin the sauce if needed)

For the Toppings:

• 100g ground pork or beef
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• ½ tsp five-spice powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp preserved vegetables (Zha cai or Tianjin preserved vegetable) – optional
• 1-2 tbsp crushed peanuts or peanut powder
• Freshly chopped green onions and cilantro
• Extra chili oil (optional)

HERE’S HOW YOU MAKE IT

1. Make the Noodles:

• Mix the flour, water, and salt together in a large bowl until a dough forms. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough out thinly and cut it into thin strips (or use a pasta maker to roll and cut into noodles).
• Boil the noodles in salted water for 3-5 minutes, until cooked. Drain and rinse with cold water.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, combine sesame paste, soy sauce, black vinegar, chili oil, peanut butter (if using), sugar, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and sesame seeds.
• Gradually add hot water to thin the sauce to your desired consistency. Stir until smooth and well mixed. Set aside.

3. Cook the Toppings:

• Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant.
• Add the ground pork or beef, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until browned.
• Stir in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, and preserved vegetables if using. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Assemble the Dan Dan Noodles:

• In serving bowls, place a generous amount of sauce at the bottom.
• Add the cooked noodles on top of the sauce, then add the cooked pork/beef mixture on top.
• Garnish with crushed peanuts, chopped green onions, cilantro, and extra chili oil if desired.

Tips:

• Adjust the amount of chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns to suit your heat tolerance.
• You can substitute store-bought noodles if you want to skip making them from scratch.

Enjoy your homemade Dan Dan Mian!