🇨🇳 Chinese Cuisine · Main Dishes

Dan Dan Noodles

Prep

15 mins

Cook

15 mins

Serves

2

Difficulty

Medium

Sichuan wheat noodles in a sesame and chili oil sauce topped with crispy pork mince and preserved Yibin vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 600g beef sirloin
  • 2 cups steamed buns
  • a handful of crushed Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp chili oil
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • a handful of fresh chives, chopped
  • black vinegar, to taste
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 tsp white pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the large prawns dry, season generously with salt, pepper, and doubanjiang (chili bean paste), and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

  2. 2

    Heat toasted sesame oil in a wide pan or heavy pot over medium-high heat and sear the large prawns until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pan, gently cook the minced garlic and sliced scallion whites over medium heat until softened and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the white pepper and shiitake mushrooms, cooking for a few more minutes so the spices bloom and coat the vegetables.

  5. 5

    Return the large prawns to the pan, pour in the water, and bring everything to a gentle simmer.

  6. 6

    Cover and cook over low heat until the large prawns is tender and cooked through, roughly 15 mins.

  7. 7

    Stir in the toasted sesame oil, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

  8. 8

    Scatter over the chives and serve hot alongside wonton wrappers.

Tips

Avoid crowding the pan when searing the large prawns; work in batches so it browns instead of steaming.

Leftovers taste even better the next day once the spices have had time to mingle — reheat gently over low heat.