Dan Dan Mian (Sichuan Spicy Noodles)
Dan dan mian is a Sichuan noodle dish that layers wheat noodles and browned ground pork over a thick sauce built from sesame paste, soy sauce, chili oil, and vinegar. Ground Sichuan peppercorn delivers its signature tingling numbness on the tongue, while the chili oil brings a direct, lingering heat that melds with the rich sesame base. Stir-frying the pork until well-browned develops a roasted meatiness that deepens the sauce's complexity. Blanched bok choy tucked alongside the noodles provides a clean, green crunch against the oily intensity. The peppercorn's numbing effect builds quickly, so adding it in small increments allows precise control.
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Instructions
- 1
Mix tahini, soy sauce, chili oil, vinegar, garlic, and ground Sichuan pepper into a sauce.
- 2
Stir-fry ground pork until browned and season with soy sauce.
- 3
Blanch bok choy and rinse in cold water.
- 4
Cook noodles, drain, and place on top of the sauce.
- 5
Top with pork, bok choy, and green onion. Toss everything together before eating.
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