Gluten-free Dan Dan Noodles Recipe

Dan Dan Noodles

Dan Dan Noodles is a classic Chinese noodle dish from the Sichuan province prepared with a spicy sauce. The sauce is made with chilli flakes, Sichuan peppers, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other ingredients that are very easily available.

Dan Dan name actually refers to a carrying pole. In the earlier times, the vendors used to carry the noodles and the sauces to sell them on the street on their shoulders, thus the name Dan Dan.

There are many ways to make these noodles, what I have made today is the simplest one also because I wanted to keep it simple so that you guys can make it without much stress, also I wanted to make it vegetarian, hence I have not used any meats. The traditional Dan Dan consists of fresh egg noodles served in a rich, spicy broth and topped with crispy pork.

What to use in case there is no Sichuan Peppers available?

Try using the less hot chilli flakes and mix some Cayenne pepper powder for the colour and a bit of heat.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Rice Noodles: for 1 person serving

For the sauce:

Any neutral flavour oil: 2 tablespoon

Green onion: 2-3 stems very finely chopped

Sichuan chilli flakes: 2 teaspoons

Chilli flakes: 1/2 teaspoon

Garlic cloves: 4-5 chopped

Brown sugar: 1/2 tablespoon

Sesame seeds: 1/2 -1 tablespoon

Dark Soy sauce: 2 teaspoon

Sesame oil: 1/2 tablespoon (optional)

Salt to taste

Peanut butter: 2 tablespoons (Find my favourite gluten-free peanut butter brand in the shop section) https://glutenfreeindian.com/shop-now/

Water from the noddles: 1 tablespoon (while boiling the rice noodles, remove some noodles starchy water)

How to Make Dan Dan Noodles

Step 1: Boil the rice noodles or any gluten-free noodles of choice.

Step 2: save 1 tablespoon of noodles water aside.

Step 3: Drain the noodles. Run it under cold water so that the noodles don’t stick to each other.

Step 4: Make the chilli oil/Dan Dan Sauce

Step 5: In a heatproof bowl add chopped garlic, chopped green onions, salt, sugar, chilli flakes, Sichuan chilli powder/flakes, soy sauce, noodles water, peanut butter. MIX THEM VERY WELL.

Step 6: Heat the oil in a small pan, once it’s hot, add to the bowl where you have mixed everything.

Step 7: Your sauce is ready.

Step 8: Add this to the boiled noodles, add some toasted peanuts on top if you like.

Step 9: Dan Dan Noodles are ready, enjoy!