Dan and Noodles A vegetarian spin on a traditional Chinese spicy noodle dish. Veganized, this dan dan noodles recipe features vegetables in a spicy sauce topped with chili-roasted peanuts. Healthy, vegan Chinese food is easy to make at home.
I love dan dan noodles, but traditional noodle dishes are anything but vegan or healthy. So, my dan dan noodle recipe is different from the classic dish. Originating from Chinese Sichuan cuisine, dan dan noodles have a spicy sauce that usually contains preserved vegetables, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, minced pork, and scallions.
Jump:
Although I have never eaten traditional dan dan noodles, I love spicy noodles. Even when ordered vegan without the pork, this classic Chinese dish is very oily, which is not my thing.
I first had a version of this spicy noodle dish with my daughter, who loves food on fire! Unfortunately, I took his advice and ordered the “Chef Hot.” I drank a lot of water and regretted my decision.
Despite the simple cooking instructions and very short cooking time, the spicy sauce takes longer than the dish itself.
Since I love spicy food, and noodles are my favorite, this dish is one of my favorite dishes.
If you are sensitive to spicy foods, always start with some spices. Then, add more spices to meet your personal preference. As a result, spices cannot be removed once added. Or, opt for a lighter dish like ramen noodle stir fry.
Dan Dan Noodles Ingredients
- Green Onion: Green onions are milder in taste compared to other onions.
- Bok Choy: Bok choy is slightly crunchy and adds texture to noodle recipes.
- Mushrooms: I used white mushrooms for this recipe.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best for flavor.
- Red Cabbage: Red cabbage adds purple and a crunch.
- Rice Noodles: Rice noodles are gluten-free and low in fat. They are soaked for this recipe and then cooked in the wok at the end.
- Chili Roasted Peanuts (optional): These spicy, crunchy peanuts add protein and crunch to meals.
- Parsley: Parsley adds freshness as a garnish.
Dan Dan Noodles ingredient replacement
- Traditional dan dan noodles contain ground pork. Instead, I chose white mushrooms, but tofu is a great option.
- Portobello mushrooms work very well with this dish as a meat substitute.
- Cabbage is traditionally not in this noodle recipe, but I love the color and crunch, so I added it to my recipe.
- Substitute shallots or yellow onions for green onions in this dan dan noodles recipe.
- A jar of crushed garlic cloves may not be as strong as fresh ones. They are usually bland and almost tasteless. So, it usually takes a few teaspoons of extra garlic to give a dish the same amount of flavor as a clove of fresh garlic.
- Choose white cabbage instead of red cabbage.
- Any type of noodle works for this recipe.
- For a nut-free alternative, skip the chili roasted peanuts.
- Try basil or cilantro with dan dan noodles instead of parsley.
Spicy Sauce Ingredients:
As mentioned earlier, the sauce brings this dish together. The recipe, as, approximates 2 on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the hottest. So, add little amount of spices and adjust for individual preference.
- Hot Chili Sauce: Hot chili sauce Different from regular hot sauce. Hot sauce is usually made from fermented or aged chilies, giving it a more intense flavor. Chili sauce is usually made from fresh chilies and has a sweet, fruity taste.
- I willow: Soy sauce imparts an umami flavor to the sauce.
- Nut Butter: A little natural peanut butter sauce adds a creaminess and a slight peanut flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: The rice vinegar gives the sauce acidity and a little sweetness.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup sweetens the sauce without adding refined sugar.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger is best for a deeper flavor.
- Water: Dilute the water sauce.
Spicy Sauce Ingredient Substitution:
- Harissa or Sriracha sauce is the closest substitute to hot chili sauce.
- Try tamari or liquid aminos to replace gluten-free soy sauce.
- For a lower fat/calorie option, try PB Fit Powder instead of peanut butter.
- Apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar substitutes for rice vinegar.
- For every ¼ teaspoon of ginger, use 1 tablespoon of fresh-ground ginger in recipes.
- Agave or date syrup is a great choice instead of maple syrup.
How to Cook Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
Cook the noodles
Instead of cooking the rice noodles, soak the dry rice noodles in cold or lukewarm water for 30 minutes or until they are pliable but still firm to the touch.
Then, drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander and set them aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
Later, it takes a few minutes to cook the noodles with the other ingredients.
Note: Since noodle brands differ, make sure you use thick noodles, as thin noodles can become hairy. Instead, if using thin noodles, follow package directions.
cooking vegetables
In a dry skillet, add minced garlic, mushrooms, and onions until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are browned.
Cooking in phases
As the cabbage and bok choy drain, add the soaked noodles.
Cook noodles with vegetables
Once hot, add the sauce and toss.
Spicy Chili Peanut Ingredients
Another great addition to that dish is spicy chili peanuts. It not only adds a little extra heat, but a nice peanut crunch.
- peanuts: I chose raw peanuts without salt. These are not roasted peanuts.
- Aquafaba: Aquafaba is the liquid inside the chickpea pan. Aquafaba acts as a glue and oil to help the spices stick to the peanuts for cooking.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is dried garlic. It is better to use garlic powder because it is grainy and sticks to peanuts.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder is dry chili powder.
- Dry Red Chilli Flakes: Red pepper flakes or dried pepper flakes are dried seeds of hot peppers or a mixture of different peppers, such as red peppers, bell peppers, and jalapeños.
Toss the peanuts in the aquafaba (the liquid inside the can of chickpeas).
Next, toss the spices together with the wet peanuts and roast on a baking sheet in an oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Although there are many versions of this dish, these noodles are known for their spicy and highly umami taste. They are sweet and delicious.
Dan Dan noodles started as a street food in Sichuan. In its early days, hawkers carried it on a bamboo pole (dan), from which the dish derives its name. The pole was attached to two baskets, one holding ingredients, the other holding cooking utensils.
Reheat remaining dan dan noodles nicely, right in the microwave. Noodles and pasta are notorious for not making good leftovers, but these Asian noodles are an exception.
advice
- Although I chose rice noodles for a gluten-free meal, Dan Dan Noodles usually uses thin wheat noodles. However, it is usually slightly thicker than somen noodles. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find semi-fresh Dan Dan noodles in the refrigerated section at Asian markets.
- I like this dish hot, but dan dan noodles are a quintessential Sichuan dish that is simple, rustic and spicy! Unfortunately, these noodles are often served cold as a snack because they are fiery.
- If using rice noodles, be sure to soak the noodles without cooking them. Since they cook a second time with the vegetables, you don’t want to overcook them.
- Cook the vegetables in intervals as directed so that they are not overcooked.
- Remember to start with a small amount of hot chili sauce and then increase it to your liking. Make this dish as mild or hot as you like.
The next time you want spicy noodles without oil, have a healthy Chinese meal at home with this dan dan noodle recipe.
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📖 Recipe
Dan Dan Noodles
Dan Dan Noodles is a vegan spin on a traditional Chinese spicy noodle dish. Veganized, this unique spicy noodle recipe features vegetables in a spicy sauce topped with chili-roasted peanuts. Healthy, vegan Chinese food is easy to make at home.
instructions
Preparing the noodles
Soak the dry rice noodles in cold or lukewarm water for 30 minutes or until they are firm to the touch.
Then, drain the noodles thoroughly in a colander and set them aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
Later, it takes a few minutes to cook the noodles in a wok with the other ingredients.
Prepare Spicy Chili Peanut Butter (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, add the peanuts.
Add the aquafaba and toss, soaking all the peanuts.
Now combine all the spices in a small dish, cover and toss the wet peanuts, coating with the spices.
Next, place the coated peanuts on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Cook for 10 minutes; Allow to cool.
Preparing the spicy sauce
Cooking dan dan noodles
Heat a wok to medium-high.
Add the garlic, onion and mushrooms and cook until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are browned.
Now, add chopped bok choy and red cabbage.
Stir until dry.
Add the drained, rinsed noodles and toss until heated through (2-3 minutes).
Add the sauce and toss a few more times to combine the sauce and noodles until heated through.
Remove from heat.
Serve in bowls or plates and garnish with spicy chile peanuts and a little parsley for color.
Comment
- Although I chose rice noodles for a gluten-free meal, Dan Dan Noodles usually uses thin wheat noodles. However, it is usually slightly thicker than somen noodles. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find semi-fresh Dan Dan noodles in the refrigerated section at Asian markets.
- I like this dish hot, but dan dan noodles are a quintessential Sichuan dish that is simple, rustic and spicy! Often served cold, these noodles are often served as a small snack because they are so fiery.
- If using rice noodles, be sure to soak the noodles without cooking them. Since they cook a second time with teh vegetables, you don’t want to overcook them.
- Cook the vegetables in intervals as directed so that they are not overcooked.
- Remember to start with a small amount of hot chili sauce and then increase it to your liking. Make this dish as mild or hot as you like.
nutrition
Calories: 337kcalSugars: 61gProtein: 11gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gSodium: 452mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 6715IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 3mg
Oh! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher and vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is completely plant-based vegetarian. I truly believe that what we eat and how we live determines our health and the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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