Spicy Sesame Dan Dan Noodles: Quick & Flavorful Meal

Dan Dan noodles are quintessential Sichuan street food: Chinese egg noodles with a spicy sesame sauce.

The name literally means "carrying pole noodles" after the peddlers that would carry pots on poles through the streets selling them.

There are probably as many "authentic" recipes for these noodles as there are cooks.

This recipe is adapted from my autographed copy of Martin Yan's Feast: The Best of Yan Can Cook. I have a few other recipes from the book on the blog, but it is a wonderful collection to any cookbook collection especially if you enjoy Chinese food.

The key to this recipe is the layers of flavors. Individually the ingredients may sound odd, but they all come together deliciously.

Ingredients for Dan Dan Noodles

Don't be intimidated by the long ingredient list, several ingredients are listed twice and if they aren't already in your pantry should be easy to find in the Asian food section of most larger grocery stores.

• chicken breasts  (or thighs)
• rice vinegar (or other mild vinegar)
• soy sauce (preferably low sodium)
• cornstarch
• tahini
• chicken broth
• oyster-flavored sauce (see note below)
• garlic powder
• red pepper flakes or crushed sichuan pepper
• olive oil (or other neutral oil)
• Chinese egg noodles
• green onions

Oyster flavored sauce adds essential umami flavor (no it doesn't overpower the dish with a fishy taste).

Pasta Recipes from #OurFamilyTable

More pasta recipes for your family to enjoy:

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• Cheese Tortellini Carbonara by Art of Natural Living
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• Chicken Club Pasta by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Dandan Noodles by That Recipe
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• Pasta Skillet by Family Around the Table
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Recipe

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Ingredients

 

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ pound chicken breasts (minced)

Sauce

• ½ cup tahini
• 3 tablespoons chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons oyster-flavored sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Serve

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 ounces Chinese egg noodles (prepared per package directions)
• 1 or 2 green onions (chopped)

Instructions

 

• Prepare noodles per package directions.
• In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, soy sauce and cornstarch. Add chicken and let marinade for 10 minutes.
• Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
• In a wok or large skillet, heat olive oil over high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, 2-3 minutes. Add sauce and heat for another minute or two until thickened.
• Serve chicken over noodles topped with green onions.

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