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Dan dan noodles with mushroom and tofu crumble
Chengdu street noodles in sesame–chilli sauce with a crisp, savoury topping
Dan dan mian is named after the shoulder pole (dan) that Chengdu hawkers once used to carry their noodles and sauces through the streets. A proper bowl is small and intense: springy wheat noodles over a puddle of sesame paste, chilli oil and soy, topped with a crunchy, salty crumble and blanched greens. The crumble here is mushroom and tofu fried with preserved ya cai until crisp. Mix everything from the bottom before eating. Chef's tip: loosen the sesame paste with a little of the hot noodle water so it coats every strand instead of clumping.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the crumble
For the sauce
For the bowls
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over a high heat. Fry 5 ½ oz chestnut mushrooms and 3 ½ oz firm tofu for 6–8 minutes, stirring, until the moisture has gone and the crumble is browned and crackles against the wok.
8 minStep 2: Add 1 tbsp Sichuan preserved mustard greens (ya cai) and 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine and stir until the wine has evaporated, then stir in 1 tsp dark soy sauce. Fry for another minute until dry and crisp at the edges. Set aside.
2 minStep 3: Divide 2 tbsp Chinese sesame paste or tahini, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp chilli oil with sediment, 1 tsp Chinkiang black vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp ground Sichuan pepper and 1 clove garlic between two deep bowls.
Step 4: Boil 7 oz thin wheat noodles according to the packet until just tender. Blanch 5 ½ oz pak choi or choy sum in the same water for the last 40 seconds. Before draining, add 2 tbsp of the hot noodle water to each bowl and whisk the sauce smooth.
5 minStep 5: Common mistake: rinsing the noodles. The surface starch helps the sauce cling, so drain them well and drop them straight into the bowls.
Step 6: Top with the greens, the crumble, 2 tbsp roasted peanuts and 1 spring onion. Stir right from the bottom at the table so every strand is red and glossy.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 620 kcal
- Protein
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 72 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dan dan noodles with mushroom and tofu crumble take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of chestnut mushrooms?
- Aubergine, diced, same weight.
- What can I use instead of dark soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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