Dan Dan Noodles
Sichuan noodles in a spicy, nutty sesame-chilli sauce.
Origin & Story
Dan dan noodles are a Sichuan street-food legend, named after the 'dan dan' carrying pole vendors once used. This version keeps the bold sauce and skips the pork.
Main Spices & Their Role
Sichuan pepper
Delivers the signature tingling numbness.
Chilli oil
Provides the fiery, fragrant heat.
Sesame paste
The nutty, creamy base of the sauce.
Ingredients
- 200g noodles
- 2 tbsp sesame paste or tahini
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1/2 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
- 1 garlic clove
- Crushed peanuts
- Spring onion
Method
- 01
Cook the noodles and drain.
- 02
Whisk sesame paste, soy, chilli oil, Sichuan pepper and garlic into a sauce.
- 03
Spoon the sauce into the bottom of a bowl.
- 04
Pile the hot noodles on top.
- 05
Finish with peanuts and spring onion; toss before eating.
Veg & Vegan Alternatives
Vegetarian
Already vegetarian in this version (traditional dan dan adds minced pork, omitted here).
Vegan
Already vegan — use egg-free noodles and top with sauteed crumbled tofu for a 'meaty' texture.