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Home » Recipes » Asian + Hawaiian Recipes

Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil

Published: Feb 12, 2018 · Modified: Oct 6, 2022 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Dan Dan Noodles are spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

I am so excited to share my interpretation of my new favorite Asian noodle dish called Dan Dan noodles. A spicy Szechuan noodle dish made with homemade chili oil (I'll mention that a bit later) and ground meat (beef or pork). A touch of sesame oil and fresh green onions makes these noodles incredible decadent, savory and worth every single noodle slurp.

Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

Many of you know that I am always interested in learning more about Asian cuisine. It's vast and layered and should be respected for it's authenticity. Yet, I do like to take some of it's famous flavors and have fun with them. After all that is how we learn about new tastes and ingredients, isn't it? Last Hanukkah I made a play on latkes topped with kimchi  .

Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

Well last Christmas, like most modern Jewish families do, we had Chinese food on Christmas. I made an entire menu out of it, including massive research for Dan Dan noodles and its infamous chili oil. Also on the menu was beef and broccoli (I used the same sauce mix in my chicken chow mein recipe) , shu mai (not homemade but if you feel intrigued, here's a homemade shu mai recipe) , and some "borrowed" fortune cookies from the local Chinese restaurant, which, for fun, Joe made up personalized fortunes for our dinner guests and stuck them in the cookie. Sneaky and fun!

Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

Dan Dan noodles is actually pretty new to me but once I heard about it I was hooked, and let me add, is a quick breeze to make, including the chili oil. You can buy the chili oil at Asian markets or specialty stores. But to make your own, all you need to do is steep aromatics with a high heat cooking oil and once it come to a gentle simmer, carefully pour over your chili flakes. For this recipe, I used Korean chili flakes same thing you use for Kimchi which is what I had on hand and worked beautifully! Then jar it up and once it cools it's ready to use.

More Asian recipes:

Shrimp Chow Mein

Thai Coconut Curry Mussels

Kalbi Ribs with Kimchi (Korean Beef Short Ribs)

Dan dan noodles are cooked noodles tossed with a spicy pepper oil and ground pork.

Dan Dan Noodles (Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil)

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

Dan Dan Noodles are spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.
4.86 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1166 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Chili Oil

  • 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 3 star anise
  • 3 whole garlic cloves
  • 3 slices ginger sliced in ½ inch pieces
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoon Szechuan peppercorns crushed
  • ¾ cup Korean red pepper flakes
  • 1-2 teaspoon sesame oil

Noodles and Meat

  • 1 lb. chow mein noodles
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces ground beef or ground pork
  • 1 garlic clove chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoon black Chinese vinegar Chinkiang vinegar
  • Green onions or scallions chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

  • To make the chili oil, bring the oil, star anise, garlic, ginger, bay leaves and Szechuan peppercorns to a gentle simmer for about 5 minutes. The garlic and ginger should sizzle but not burn. While the oil is cooking, pour the red pepper flakes in a large heat proof bowl and set aside.
  • Once oil is done, turn off heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Then strain the hot oil through a sieve over the red pepper flakes. It should immediately sizzle. Allow to cool to room temperature and then pour in sesame oil and stir. At this point you can place it in glass jars and use in recipes.
  • Next, cook the chow mein noodles in a pot of boiling water until just done, about 3-4 minutes. Once done, drain and toss with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and set aside.
  • In a skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle with 1 tablespoon canola oil and add the ground meat. Use a spatula and break up the meat and cook until mostly cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
  • Then add in the chopped garlic and soy sauce and cook until garlic is caramelized and meat is cooked through. Once done, turn off heat.
  • To serve, in a large bowl, add about ¼-1/2 cup of chili oil and black Chinese vinegar and mix. Add the cooked chow mein noodles and top with ground meat mixture. Garnish with more chili oil on top and chopped scallions.

Notes

Recipe inspired and adapted from Serious Eats and The Woks of Life

Nutrition

Calories: 1166kcalCarbohydrates: 103gProtein: 29gFat: 73gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 18gMonounsaturated Fat: 42gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 1004mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 9gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 112IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 7mg
Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!
Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy Szechuan Noodles with Chili Oil, ground beef (or ground pork) and topped with green onions.

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Comments

  1. Kimberly says

    May 21, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious and healthy!

    Reply
  2. 2pots2cook says

    February 18, 2018 at 9:51 pm

    5 stars
    Love the idea ! Thank you so much !

    Reply
4.86 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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