Sichuan’s famous dan dan noodles take a lighter turn with this speedy slaw

Name: Sichuan’s famous dan dan noodles take a lighter turn with this speedy slaw
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 500g pork mince; 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, crushed and toasted; 1 tbsp Chinese five spice; ¼ cup soy sauce; 200g fresh thin wheat noodles; 2 cups shredded wombok cabbage; 2 carrots, shredded; 1 Lebanese cucumber, shredded; 2 spring onions, thinly sliced; 2 tsp tahini; 1 tbsp chill bean paste; 1 tsp caster sugar; juice of 1 lemon

The popular Chinese noodle dish is recast as a cool, crunchy slaw, perfect for warm nights.

Jessica Brook

November 27, 2025

Sichuan’s famous dan dan noodles take a lighter turn.James Moffatt

easyTime:< 30 minsServes:4

All the spicy, savoury comfort of dan dan noodles transformed into a cool, crunchy slaw. This refreshing twist is the perfect light and satisfying meal for warm evenings.

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
500g pork mince
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, crushed and toasted
1 tbsp Chinese five spice
¼ cup soy sauce
200g fresh thin wheat noodles
2 cups shredded wombok cabbage
2 carrots, shredded
1 Lebanese cucumber, shredded
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
2 tsp tahini
1 tbsp chill bean paste
1 tsp caster sugar
juice of 1 lemon

Method

Step 1
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat. Cook the garlic slices for 30 seconds until crisp; take care not to burn them. Remove immediately with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Step 2
Add the pork to the pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up until crisp. Stir in the Sichuan pepper, Chinese five-spice, and 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer the pork to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3
Cook the noodles in salted, boiling water for 4-6 minutes, or until tender. Drain, refresh under cold water, and add to the bowl with the pork. Toss to combine.
Step 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce with the tahini, chilli bean paste, sugar and lemon juice for the dressing. Season to taste.
Step 5
Add the wombok, carrot, cucumber, and spring onion to the pork and noodle mixture. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss well to coat everything.
Step 6
Divide between bowls and top with the reserved garlic slices to serve.