Skip the takeout menu. These saucy, savoury dan dan noodles come together in minutes with pantry staples, ground pork and fresh greens for a weeknight dinner that's big on flavour and light on dishes.
This dan dan noodle recipe proves that one-pan meals can be packed with flavour while still being convenient. This traditional Sichuan dish comes together quickly using ground pork—seasoned with ingredients you likely have in your cupboard—and veggies served over fresh Asian noodles that cook in just a few minutes. If you don't have fresh noodles, go for spaghetti. You're the boss.
Ingredients for Dan Dan Noodles
3/4 lb thin fresh Asian noodles
canola oil, for cooking
3/4 lb ground pork
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
3/4–1 cup chicken stock
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp tahini, almond butter or peanut butter
2 tsp brown sugar or honey
2 tsp chili-garlic sauce or chili sauce, or to taste
1 cup packed baby spinach or 6 to 8 baby bok choy, halved lengthways
1/4 cup chopped peanuts or almonds
2 green onions, chopped
Directions for Dan Dan Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the noodles. Cook for 3–4 min, or as the package directs, and drain well in a colander.
When you set the water to boil, set a large, heavy skillet over medium-high and add a drizzle of oil. Add the pork and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 min more.
Add 3/4 cup of the chicken stock and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the stock reduces by about half. Add the vinegar, soy sauce, tahini, brown sugar and chili-garlic sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until the mixture thickens, then add the spinach or bok choy to the pan and stir until it wilts. If the sauce is too thick, add the remaining 1/4 cup of stock. Let simmer.
To the pan of cooked down sauce, add the drained noodles and toss to combine, or spread the noodles out on a platter and top with the pork mixture. Serve immediately, topped with chopped peanuts and green onions.
Originally published in ParentsCanada magazine, Feb/Mar 2015. Updated July 2026.
