Dan dan noodles are the Chinese noodle dish named for a Sichuan-style preparation using chili oil and minced pork.
The dish traditionally combines wheat noodles with a strongly seasoned sauce that may include chili oil, Sichuan pepper, preserved vegetables, sesame paste, soy sauce, and minced pork. Regional and restaurant versions vary, but the contrast of heat, savoriness, and aromatic spice is characteristic.
The name is linked to dan dan, the carrying pole once used by street vendors to transport ingredients and cooking equipment. This connection reflects the dish’s history as a street food in Sichuan.
Dan dan noodles are often confused with zhajiangmian. Zhajiangmian centers on fermented soybean paste, while dan dan noodles are identified especially with the Sichuan chili-and-pepper flavor profile.