Vegan Dan Dan Noodles

Of course, I found this recipe on Instagram and had to try it! I love noodles--I may have a slight obsession with rice noodles. Anyway, this is the recipe that I followed based on Rootedinspice’s reel about vegan Dan Dan noodles. In her reel, she explains that this dish is normally made with pork. She substituted the pork for a mixture of mushrooms and tofu that she topped on noodles and covered in a delicious broth.

Vegan Dan Dan Noodles

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• Ground “Meat” Topping

• 2 tbsp oil

• 4-6 cloves of garlic

• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

• 8 ounces of baby Bella mushrooms

• 1 package firm tofu, pressed

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• ¼-½ tsp five spice (adjust to taste)

• 1 pound rice noodles cooked to package directions (reserve ½ cup noodle water for sauce)

• Sauce

• 4 tbsp chili oil

• 8 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 4 tsp sugar (optional)

• 4 tbsp peanut butter (or any type of nut butter)

• ½ cup reserved water from the noodles

• Green onions, sliced thin for garnish

Directions:

1. In a food processor, process together the mushrooms and tofu.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil. Once hot, add the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds. 

3. Then, add in the mushroom and tofu mixture and increase heat to medium-high. Cook for about 8-10* minutes until the mixture starts to brown. Add in the soy sauce and five spice. Start with ¼ tsp and add more to taste.

4. In the meantime, cook the noodles. Also, whisk together all of the ingredients for the sauce in a small pot over low heat (this helps the peanut butter melt and create a creamier sauce).

5. Divide the sauce into 4 bowls (or 6 depending on serving desired), top with a portion of the noodles and meat mixture. Top with green onion and stir together. Enjoy!

*Note: it may take longer than 10 minutes to brown, be patient.

I also made a reel and the video is too large to upload here so please check it out on instagram!