Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Sichuan noodle dish featuring spicy ground pork, preserved vegetables, and a fragrant chili oil sauce that beautifully coats each noodle strand. This chinese-inspired noodles ready in about 25 minutes pairs grams fresh Chinese wheat noodles, grams ground pork, chili oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook 300 grams fresh Chinese wheat noodles according to package instructions (about 3-4 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and 1 tsp minced ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 200 grams ground pork and 2 tbsp finely chopped Sichuan preserved mustard greens. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the pork, until browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp chili oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, and 2 tbsp sesame paste until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Toss the cooked noodles in the sauce mixture, then stir in the cooked pork mixture until noodles are evenly coated and hot.
  6. Step 6: Plate the noodles and garnish with 2 chopped scallion stalks and 2 tbsp crushed peanuts before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep grams ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Spicy Chinese Dan Dan Noodles with Ground Pork and Chili Oil?

Chinese noodles like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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