What other types of noodles can I use?

Traditional dan dan noodles are thin wheat noodles. If you live near a Chinese market, you may be able to find fresh dan dan noodles in the refrigerated or frozen sections. There are also dried versions on Amazon . However, thin spaghetti works for this recipe - and it's almost always handy in the pantry. That said, I've used udon and somen noodles in a pinch. And Chinese egg noodles would be delicious (but not vegan). If you're following a strict plant based diet, be sure to read the ingredients label.

Can I substitute any ingredients?

Yes! As with any recipe, consider it a general blueprint. Feel free to use what you have at home, and ingredients you prefer. Shiitake mushrooms would work in place of the button mushrooms. If you have Chinese sesame paste, use that instead of peanut butter. White pepper, ground sichuan peppercorns and black vinegar would all be delicious additions. Cilantro is a fragrant stand in for the baby spinach. Traditional versions also call for a preserved and fermented mustard green called sumiyacai .

Do I have to make the chili oil for this recipe?

Not unless you want to. You can use store bought chili oil, like this one . However, if you're looking to take the flavor to the next level (and want an all-purpose Sichuan condiment that will last 4 months in your pantry) I have a recipe for hot Sichuan chili oil that you can make at home in just over 30 minutes.

What does dan dan mean in Chinese?

Dan dan noodles got their name from the pole traditional Chinese noodle sellers used to carry when hawking food in China's Sichuan Province. A dan dan was a carrying pole that had a container at each end. One was a basket containing noodles, and the other was a container of sauce. The noodle sellers would hike the pole onto a shoulder—balancing the containers on each end. When someone ordered noodles, they’d serve them up and then move on down the road.

Vegan Dan Dan Noodles

Name: Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 19 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8 ounces thin spaghetti such as Barilla or De Cecco, which are both vegan; 1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil; 2 stalks celery, finely chopped; 9 ounces white button mushrooms, finely chopped; handful baby spinach; 2 stalks scallions, finely chopped; 2 small cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon ginger, minced; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons chili oil (use less if you are sensitive to hot dishes); 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 3 tablespoons natural peanut butter; 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar; salt

Description

Chopped mushrooms replace the ground meat and bring earthiness to this spicy, nutty and tangy noodle dish.

Ingredients

Units Scale

8 ounces thin spaghetti such as Barilla or De Cecco, which are both vegan
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
9 ounces white button mushrooms, finely chopped
handful baby spinach
2 stalks scallions, finely chopped

Dan dan sauce

2 small cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons chili oil (use less if you are sensitive to hot dishes)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
salt

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Instructions

Bring a pot of water to boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8-9 minutes, until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, drain again and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
In a pan over medium heat, add peanut oil, celery and mushrooms and cook for 8-10 minutes, until mushrooms are beginning to turn a golden brown color. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Put all the ingredients for the dan dan sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Add sauce to the spaghetti and toss until the noodles are evenly coated. Season with salt until you are satisfied with the taste.
Add mushroom mix, spinach and scallions to the noodles and toss well. Serve.

Notes

These noodles taste their best when made fresh but are still delicious cold (after being refrigerated the next day). You can also quickly zap them in the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.

Store the dan dan noodles in an airtight storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 406
Sugar: 7.1g
Sodium: 409.3mg
Fat: 16.g
Saturated Fat: 2.7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4.9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50.5g
Fiber: 5.7g
Protein: 10.8g
Cholesterol: 1.8mg