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Home » Recipes » Stir Fries » Faux Dan Dan Noodles {Takeout-Inspired}

Faux Dan Dan Noodles {Takeout-Inspired}

5/10/22

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These Faux Dan Dan Noodles are inspired by the spicy stir fry dish and are a great weeknight dinner with ground beef, chili oil and bok choy.

Dan dan noodles

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Extra-lean ground beef – ground pork or chicken would also be good in this recipe but will have a different flavour. For a meatless option use vegan crumbles, finely chopped mushrooms or tofu.
  • Sambal oelek – Sriracha would also add spice.
  • Spaghetti – dried white noodles would work but are hard to find. Try using ramen noodles, mein noodles or rice noodles instead.
  • Bok choy – green cabbage or another leafy green vegetable would be good in this recipe.
  • Scallions – chives or shallots will provide a similar flavour.
  • Sesame seeds – black or white sesame seeds would both be good or you can leave these out altogether.
  • Peanuts – leave these out altogether if you’re allergic to peanuts or don’t have any on hand.

Sauce

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  • Soy sauce – tamari or coconut aminos are great gluten-free substitutes for soy sauce.
  • Hoisin sauce – oyster sauce, black bean sauce or teriyaki sauce will all provide a similar taste.
  • Sesame oil – you can use a neutral cooking oil like canola or avocado oil, but it won’t provide the same flavour as the sesame oil.
  • Chili oil – use a combination of corn or peanut oil and cayenne pepper instead. Adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
  • Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best. Jarred minced garlic or garlic powder will work in a pinch.
  • Five spice powder – if you don’t have five spice powder, use a blend of 1 star anise, ¼ tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp. fennel seeds, ¼ tsp. ground cloves and ¼ tsp. pepper.
Dan dan noodles

How to make dan dan noodles

  1. Brown the ground beef.
  2. Sauté the bok choy.
  3. Add in the cooked noodles and sauce.
  4. Toss to coat.
  5. Cook until the sauce thickens.
  6. Garnish and serve!
Dan dan noodles

What kind of noodles to use

Typically, a thin wheat noodle is used to make this dish. You may be able to find dan dan noodles in the refrigerated section of an Asian market. Otherwise, any thin wheat noodle will work.

My recipe uses spaghetti noodles because they are easy to find, but you could also use any of the following:

  • Mein noodles – like lo mein or chow mein
  • Ramen – just the noodles, not the cheap flavored packages
  • Rice noodles – a dried white noodle that makes this dish gluten-free
Dan dan noodles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are dan dan noodles?

Dan dan noodles started as a popular street food in the Sichuan province of China. Street vendors would carry a long bamboo pole called a “dan,” which is where the dish got its name. On each end of the pole was a basket; one basket held all of the ingredients, while the other held the cookware used to make the dish. They consist of a spicy sauce over noodles with veggies and minced pork (for this version I used beef).

What does this dish taste like?

This dish is spicy and super flavourful with lots of umami. If you don’t want your noodles to be too spicy, adjust the amount of chili oil you use – although the spice is part of what makes this dish so delicious!

What is the sauce made of?

The sauce I used for this recipe is super simple. It uses soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, garlic and five spice powder. If you don’t have any five spice powder, you can use a blend of star anise, cinnamon, fennel seeds, ground cloves and pepper. Easy-peasy!

Are dan dan noodles healthy?

This noodle dish is high in protein, low in fat and calories, and contains lots of vitamins and minerals. If you aren’t gluten restricted, using whole wheat noodles is a healthier option than white pasta.

Dan dan noodles

Storing and reheating

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat this dish in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. Make sure to sprinkle some water over top before reheating so the noodles don’t dry out.

Another great thing about this dish is how easy it is to meal prep! You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in a jar in the refrigerator. Once refrigerated, it will last for up to 2 weeks.

Freezing this recipe

For best results, cooked noodles and sauce should be frozen separately. Otherwise, the noodles will turn to mush when thawed and reheated. If you’d like to freeze the full dish, cook the noodles for less time so that they are still slightly firm (al dente). This way, they should be closer to the correct texture when you’re ready to eat.

To freeze the noodles, store individual portions in airtight containers or freezer-safe Ziploc bags. Be sure to squeeze all the air out of the bags to prevent ice crystals. This recipe will keep for up to 3 months in the coldest part of the freezer.

Dan dan noodles

More Asian-inspired noodle recipes

  • Chicken Chow Mein
  • Yakisoba Noodle Bowls
  • Instant Pot Pad Thai

Meal prep tools for this recipe

  • Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on storing the leftovers.
  • I get all my grass-fed ground beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
  • Order some five spice powder online.
Dan dan noodles

Faux Dan Dan Noodles {Takeout-Inspired}

These Faux Dan Dan Noodles are inspired by the spicy stir fry dish and are a great weeknight dinner with ground beef, chili oil and bok choy.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 444kcal
Author: Taylor Stinson

Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp sambal oelek or Sriracha
  • 1 lb spaghetti (you can also use dried white noodles but they are harder to find. Ramen noodles are also a great substitute)
  • 2 cups chopped bok choy
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Peanuts, for garnish

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp chili oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp five spice powder (note: if you don't have five spice powder, you can use a blend of 1 star anise, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp fennel seeds, 1/4 tsp ground cloves & 1/4 tsp black or white pepper)

Instructions

  • Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling water for 9-11 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet over med-high heat. Meanwhile, mix together ingredients for sauce.
  • Add bok choy and sautee for 1 min until slightly wilted, then add cooked noodles and stir fry sauce to skillet, tossing to coat and sauteeing over high heat for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in scallions.
  • Serve in large bowls then garnish with sesame seeds and peanuts. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Adjust the amount of chili oil based on your spice tolerance.
Replace the five spice powder with a blend of star anise, cinnamon, fennel seeds, ground cloves and pepper.
You can also use mein noodles, ramen or rice noodles.
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Sprinkle some water over top then reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
Freeze for up to 3 months. I suggest freezing the cooked noodles and sauce separately. Slightly undercook the noodles so they don’t get mushy when reheated.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 477mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GirlonBloor or tag #girlonbloor!
These Faux Dan Dan Noodles are inspired by the spicy stir fry dish and are a great weeknight dinner with ground beef, chili oil and bok choy. #dandannoodles These Faux Dan Dan Noodles are inspired by the spicy stir fry dish and are a great weeknight dinner with ground beef, chili oil and bok choy. #dandannoodles This is the easiest Dan Dan Noodles recipe. This spicy Chinese-inspired stir fry is made with ground beef, chili oil & greens for a tasty weeknight dinner! #dandannoodles This is the easiest Dan Dan Noodles recipe. This spicy Chinese-inspired stir fry is made with ground beef, chili oil & greens for a tasty weeknight dinner! #dandannoodles

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About Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

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Taylor Stinson

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I'm Taylor Stinson, a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto. Looking to switch up your weekly meal prep routine? I've got you covered with healthy recipes and meal planning resources. Join 1.5 million other monthly readers and dive in! MORE ABOUT ME..

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