Easy Dan Dan Noodles

The following recipe and photography were provided by our partner, Yoko Segawa of Yoko’s Kitchen.

Drop what you’re doing and make these simplified Dan Dan Noodles for dinner this week!

Recognized as one of the most famous Sichuan street foods and available on the menus of many Chinese restaurants, Dan Dan Noodles are Chinese comfort food at it’s finest. Featuring thin noodles tossed in a savory and spicy sauce with hearty pork, this dish can be made in a variety of forms ranging from something that resembles a soup (the more traditional way) to something that resembles a pasta (the American interpretation).

Heinen's Raw CARE Certified Ground Pork in Packaging. Heinen's Chicken Stock Packaging, Fresh Garlic Bulb and Fresh Ginger Laying Flat on a Surface.

Dan Dan noodles in their most classic form require a lot of specialty ingredients that most everyday home cooks don’t stock in their kitchens, but with the help of Heinen’s you can recreate the flavor in just about 30 minutes with ingredients that feel more familiar.

Let’s cook!

Up-close Photo of Easy Dan Dan Noodle Bowl with Bok Choy and Cooked Pork

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Ingredients are Simplified. Traditional Dan Dan noodles require a lot of specialty ingredients, but this recipe keeps things simple with items you probably already have or can easily grab from Heinen’s during your weekly grocery haul.
It’s Weeknight Friendly. You can easily prepare these Dan Dan Noodles in about 30 minutes. It’s a great dish to make when your weekly recipe routine needs some excitement!
It Features Heinen’s CARE Certified Pork. Pork is one of the less expensive proteins on the market, and it’s so easy to cook. Heinen’s CARE Certified pork is raised on family farms in Pennsylvania that follow Heinen’s strict specifications for quality, animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Ground for convenience and full of flavor, it’s a cost-effective way to add high quality protein to your meal!

Ingredients

For the Pork

2 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil or Heinen’s extra virgin olive oil
1 lb. Heinen's CARE Certified ground pork
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch ginger, minced
2 tsp. Heinen’s apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
¼ tsp. Heinen’s ground cinnamon
Sea salt
Black pepper

For the Sauce

3 Tbsp. soy sauce
3 Tbsp. Spice World chili onion crunch
3 Tbsp. Heinen’s tahini
1½ Tbsp. Heinen’s honey

For Serving

4 bundles Koyo udon noodles or Asian-style noodles
1 cup Heinen’s chicken stock
4 bok choy, sliced in half
¼ cup chopped peanuts, for garnish
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Toasted sesame oil, for garnish

Instructions

Cook the pork. In a pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the pork and break it into small pieces. Once the pork is almost cooked, stir in the apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and Hoisin sauce. Season with a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Cook until the pork is completely cooked through. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary. Set aside.
Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce.
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Add the bok choy to the noodles during the last minute of cooking. Drain well.
Warm the chicken stock on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Divide the sauce equally among serving bowls and arrange the noodles over top. Divide the bok choy between each bowl and spoon the pork over the noodles.
Top with the peanuts and scallions.
Pour ¼ cup of chicken broth into each bowl and drizzle with toasted sesame oil.
Mix everything well and enjoy.

Up-close Photo of Easy Dan Dan Noodle Bowl with Bok Choy , Cooked Pork and Chop Sticks