Close up of Dan Dan Noodles

INGREDIENTS

Chili Oil

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp. Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder

Pork

  • 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 3/4 lb. ground pork
  • 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp. Chinese black vinegar
  • 2 tsp. soy sauce

Sauce

  • 1/3 cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce 
  • 2 tbsp. freshly grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp. prepared chili oil
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp. Chinese black vinegar

Serving

  • 1 lb. ramen noodles or thick egg noodles
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup toasted peanuts, roughly chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

Chili Oil

  • Fit a small saucepan with a candy thermometer. Add vegetable oil and Sichuan peppercorns and heat to 325°.
  • Turn off heat and add red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and five-spice powder. Let oil cool completely.

Pork

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil.
  • Add pork, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook until meat is deeply golden and crispy, then add hoisin sauce, vinegar, and soy sauce.
  • Cook until all liquid has evaporated.

Sauce

  • In a large bowl, whisk to combine all ingredients.

Serving

  • Cook noodles according to package instructions and add to bowl with the sauce, tossing to coat noodles in the sauce.
  • Divide noodles between serving dishes and top each with pork. Garnish with cilantro, toasted peanuts, and green onions, and drizzle with more chili oil, if desired