The sauce lives on chili crisp and toasted sesame oil, so a fresh, aromatic chili crisp with real Sichuan pepper carries most of the flavor. Fry the pork hard until it turns dark and genuinely crispy at the edges; stop at gray and it melts into the sauce instead of sitting on top where you want it.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineChinese
Cost$$
Dairy-free
Contains gluten · soy · sesame
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for4servings
Wheat noodles
Thin fresh wheat noodles are traditional; cook them last so they hit the bowl hot over the room-temp sauce.
Fry porkCook ground pork in a dry-ish hot pan, breaking it small, until it stops giving off water and turns deep brown and crispy at the edges. Splash in a little soy at the end.
Build bowlsIn each bowl, pool chili crisp, soy, sesame oil, and a spoon of the noodle cooking water to make a loose sauce at the bottom.
Boil noodlesCook noodles until just tender, then lift them straight into the bowls over the sauce so they stay hot.
TopSpoon the crispy pork over, scatter scallions, and toss everything up from the bottom before eating so the chili oil coats every strand.
Can you make Dan Dan Noodles in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Dan Dan Noodles? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Dan Dan Noodles ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Dan Dan Noodles gluten-free? — Not as written
Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).
Is Dan Dan Noodles vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
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