14 March 2014

dan dan... tan tan... it's all good

I found a new noodle factory- Kim Hong- located in Hunter's Point, delivers fresh noodles daily to shops in many Chinese markets around the Bay Area. I found mine at May Wah Supermarket on Clement St. At $.99/pound, these are a fantastic bargain. To try them out, I decided to make a new found favorite noodle dish- Dan Dan Mein!

Dan Dan (or Tan Tan to some) are thick Chinese noodles covered in a spicy sauce made of ground pork, garlic, ginger, sesame paste, and chili oil. The secret is the Sichuan red peppercorns- they add a unique subtle, fruity heat. When I make this at home I add shitakes and bok choy hearts to amp up the veggie factor. And unlike most (mediocre) restaurant versions, my noodles are coated in a thick, rich, delicious, meaty sauce. This is complete comfort food!