Dan Dan Noodles (Quick Sauce)

Ingredients

• 180 g Dried ramen noodles or wheat noodles
• 150 g Ground pork
• 2 tbsp Sesame paste (tahini or Chinese sesame paste)
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chili crisp or chili oil
• 1 tsp Black vinegar (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tsp Brown sugar
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 tsp Ginger
• 1 tbsp Neutral oil
• 2 tbsp Chicken broth or water
• 2 stalks Scallions
• 2 tbsp Pickled mustard greens (suan cai) or chopped pickles(optional)
• 2 tbsp Roasted peanuts, chopped(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package directions (about 3–5 minutes). Drain and set aside.

2. 2

   While noodles cook, mix sesame paste, soy sauce, chili crisp/chili oil, vinegar, brown sugar, and broth/water in a bowl to form the quick sauce.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.

4. 4

   Add garlic and ginger to the pork and cook for 30–60 seconds. Stir in pickled mustard greens (if using) and then turn off the heat.

5. 5

   Toss hot noodles with the sauce until evenly coated. Divide into bowls and top with pork, sliced scallions, and peanuts (if using). Serve immediately.