Authentic Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles are a renowned street food originating from the Sichuan province of China. The name 'Dan Dan' is said to be derived from the carrying poles used by street vendors, laden with baskets of spicy, savory noodles. This dish captures the essence of Sichuan cuisine with its bold flavors, thanks to the unique 'huajiao' or Sichuan peppercorns, which impart a tingling sensation. The recipe, inspired by Mrs. Chiang's Sichuan Cookbook, emphasizes the use of authentic ingredients for the truest taste experience—substituting ingredients like Middle Eastern tahini for Chinese toasted sesame paste, or black pepper for Sichuan peppercorn, would alter the authentic flavor profile. However, peanut butter is a viable alternative for sesame paste if needed. The accompanying homemade chili oil adds an extra element of heat and can be used in various other dishes.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic
12 cloves (Crushed, peeled, and coarsely chopped)
Fresh Ginger
3 inches (Peeled and finely diced)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (To combine with garlic and ginger)
Water
5 tablespoons (To mix with garlic and ginger paste)
Green Onions
6 pieces (Finely chopped)
Fresh Chinese Noodles
1 lb (Cooked according to package instructions)
Hot Chili Oil
2 teaspoons per serving (Store-bought or homemade)
Ground Roasted Sichuan Peppercorns
1/8 teaspoon per serving (Ground and roasted)
Asian Toasted Sesame Paste
4 teaspoons per serving (Ready to use)
Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons per serving (Ready to use)
Granulated Sugar
1/2 teaspoon per serving (Ready to use)
Hot Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 cup (Combined into chili oil)
Peanut Oil
1/4 cup (Used for making chili oil)
Instructions
1
Prepare the garlic by crushing the cloves with the flat side of a cleaver, then peel and chop them coarsely.
2
Peel the ginger and dice it finely. Combine the chopped garlic and ginger with salt in a mortar and pulverize them into a coarse paste using a pestle.
3
Add 5 tablespoons of water to the garlic and ginger paste, mixing until thoroughly combined. Reserve this mixture.
4
Finely chop the green onions to yield 4 tablespoons and set aside for later use.
5
To prepare the individual sauce portions, mix together 1 tablespoon of the garlic-ginger-water mixture, 1 tablespoon of chopped green onions, 2 teaspoons hot chili oil, 1/8 teaspoon ground roasted Sichuan peppercorns, 4 teaspoons Asian roasted sesame paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in each of four small bowls.
6
Cook the fresh Chinese noodles in a large pot of rapidly boiling water according to package instructions, until al dente (typically 5 to 10 minutes). Avoid overcooking.
7
Drain the noodles thoroughly and evenly distribute them onto four serving plates.
8
Each serving should be individually mixed with its respective sauce ingredients right before eating.
9
For homemade chili oil, heat the peanut oil in a pan until it reaches the smoke point. Carefully remove from heat and stir in the hot red pepper flakes. The oil will foam and release a strong aroma. Once cooled, transfer to a clean container and store in the refrigerator for future use.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dan Dan Noodles?
Dan Dan Noodles are a renowned street food originating from the Sichuan province of China, known for their bold, spicy, and savory flavors.
What does the name 'Dan Dan' mean?
The name 'Dan Dan' refers to the carrying poles used by street vendors to transport baskets of noodles and sauce.
What is the key ingredient for the tingling sensation in this dish?
The unique tingling sensation is provided by 'huajiao', also known as Sichuan peppercorns.
Can I use Middle Eastern tahini as a substitute for Chinese sesame paste?
No, substituting tahini for Asian roasted sesame paste would significantly alter the authentic flavor profile of the dish.
What is a viable alternative if I don't have Chinese sesame paste?
Peanut butter is considered a viable alternative for Asian roasted sesame paste if needed.
Can I use black pepper instead of Sichuan peppercorns?
Substituting black pepper for Sichuan peppercorns is not recommended as it would change the authentic taste of the noodles.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
How should the garlic and ginger be prepared?
The garlic should be crushed, peeled, and coarsely chopped, while the ginger should be peeled and finely diced before being pulverized into a paste.
What tool is used to make the garlic and ginger paste?
A mortar and pestle are used to pulverize the garlic, ginger, and salt into a coarse paste.
How much water is added to the garlic and ginger mixture?
5 tablespoons of water are mixed into the garlic and ginger paste.
What kind of noodles are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh Chinese noodles.
How long should the fresh Chinese noodles be cooked?
They should be cooked in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes until they are al dente.
How is the sauce for Dan Dan noodles served?
The sauce ingredients are mixed individually into four small bowls and then combined with the noodles right before eating.
What goes into each individual sauce portion?
Each bowl contains garlic-ginger water, green onions, hot chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, sesame paste, soy sauce, and sugar.
How much soy sauce is used per serving?
Each serving requires 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How much sugar is added to each bowl?
1/2 teaspoon of granulated sugar is added to each individual sauce portion.
How do you make the homemade chili oil?
Heat peanut oil to the smoke point, remove from heat, and stir in hot red pepper flakes.
What happens when you add red pepper flakes to the hot oil?
The oil will foam and release a strong aroma as it absorbs the heat and flavor of the flakes.
How should homemade chili oil be stored?
Once cooled, it should be transferred to a clean container and stored in the refrigerator.
What is the recommended amount of Sichuan peppercorns per serving?
The recipe uses 1/8 teaspoon of ground roasted Sichuan peppercorns per serving.
How many garlic cloves are needed in total?
The recipe requires 12 cloves of garlic.
What type of oil is used for the chili oil?
Peanut oil is used to make the homemade chili oil.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total for this authentic Dan Dan noodle recipe.
Which cookbook inspired this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Mrs. Chiang's Sichuan Cookbook.
How many green onions are used?
6 pieces of green onions are finely chopped, yielding about 4 tablespoons.
What is the preparation for the red pepper flakes?
1/4 cup of hot red pepper flakes are combined into hot peanut oil to create chili oil.
Should the noodles be mixed with the sauce in the pot?
No, the noodles should be drained and distributed onto plates, then mixed with individual sauce portions right before eating.
What are the common tags for this dish?
The tags include Sichuan, Chinese, Spicy, Noodles, Street Food, Dan Dan, Authentic, and Asian Cuisine.
How much ginger is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 inches of fresh ginger.
What is the purpose of the salt in the garlic-ginger paste?
The 3/4 teaspoon of salt is combined with the garlic and ginger to help pulverize them into a coarse paste.