Whether you’re celebrating Chinese New Year or just craving a take-out favorite, these spiced up vegetarian dan dan noodles will hit the spot.

Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

 

Haaaapppyyyy nneeewww yeeeaarrrr!!!!

Things just got weird.

No, I don’t have internal medicine-rotation-induced amnesia (though sometimes it does feel that way, like when I’m trying to remember anything about anything)…

…it’s CHINESE NEW YEAR!

AKA any excuse to eat all the dumplings, all things spicy noodles, all the mooncakes, and all of my favorite Chinese red bean or sesame paste-infused sweets == I’M THERE.

Join me?

Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Everything that’s traditionally eaten on Chinese New Year is actually done so for a reason – mostly to bring luck and prosperity and joy in the new year and today we’re celebrating with my twist on one of these dishes: longevity noodles!

Longevity noodles are basically what the name implies – really really (really) long noodles that are supposed to endow upon those that consume them a really really (really) long life. As far as I could find, there is really no specific way to prepare them, so I made them in the style of my favorite spicy Chinese noodle dish – dan dan noodles. Which is pretty much what I eat when I want to set my mouth on fire. In the best possible way.

Kikkoman Soy Sauce

Dan dan noodles are usually made with meat BUT since that’s not how we fly around here, I used vegetarian “beefy” crumbles instead and paired them with a sweet spicy salty savory all around awesome sauce along with loads of leafy greens, which are also supposed to bring a long life to those who eat them. Double the bang for your good luck buck – you just can’t go wrong.

Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

Though I’m sure it’s totally not traditional, I made the sauce with a mixture of sesame oil, chili oil, honey, and Kikkoman soy sauce, which shouldn’t require anyone to make an extra trip to the grocery store. Kikkoman soy sauce is my favorite of all the soy sauces out there for a lot of reasons, but mainly because it’s traditionally brewed and aged for several months to develop its characteristic rich, yet mellow flavor, umami-infused aroma, and deep dark hue. It’s a great browning sauce no matter what you’re cooking up and I frequently reach for it in lieu of salt because of the great flavor it adds.

Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles
 
Whether you're celebrating Chinese New Year or just craving a take-out favorite, these spiced up vegetarian dan dan noodles will hit the spot.
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb whole wheat spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil, divided
  • 11 oz plant protein "beefy" crumbles
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large bunch bok choy, coarsely chopped
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • 5 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp chili oil, plus more to taste
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large wok heat 1 tbsp of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the "beef" crumbles to the wok and saute for 5-6 minutes, or until starting to get crispy. Stir in the garlic and saute 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the greens to the pan and saute until wilted. Stir in the soy sauce, honey, and chili oil, to taste.
  3. When the pasta is done cooking, toss it into the wok with the vegetables. Serve warm with extra chili oil on the side.
Notes
An Eats Well With Others Original
Nutrition Information
Serving size: ⅙th of recipe

 

Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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26 Responses to Fiery Vegetarian Dan Dan Noodles

  1. I am all over these noodles! 😀 *slurp*

  2. pam says:

    Oh, these sound perfect!

  3. We had the BIGGEST CHINESE NEW YEAR FEAST EVER at my mama’s house this weekend – yes, a few days early, but you know, weekend. I am so saving this noodle recipe for next year…although I need to try it before then for, you know, research. 🙂 and xo

  4. I’m loving all of the Asian-inspired recipes! What perfect timing with the Chinese New Year!! 🙂

  5. I don’t need too much convincing to eat Chinese noodles. Please pass me a bowl!

  6. Sues says:

    Kikkoman is the only soy sauce I’ll eat after doing a taste comparison years ago. It’s the best! And these noodles look so flavorful and delicious!

  7. Mariana says:

    Joanne, this looks amazing!

  8. Katrina says:

    I LOVE dan dan noodles! And this recipe. So delicious friend!

  9. Slurpy slurp slurp… these look divine Joanne! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

  10. Pam says:

    Perfect for Chinese New Year. They look TASTY!

  11. I wish Chinese New Year was every day. YUM.

  12. Lynn says:

    I had to Google mooncakes. 🙂 These noodles look so good!

  13. Dan dan noodles are my go-to dish at our local Chinese restaurant. I can’t resist ordering it. Love your version!!! (also, sorry I’ve been MIA… but I’m back!!!) 🙂

  14. These noodles look unreal! I love me some spice- pinning 🙂

  15. Kelly says:

    I could slurp these noodles up all day long! Love the fiery kick! They look SO good! 🙂

  16. Jessica says:

    Happy Chinese New Year! My best friend growing up was Chinese so I definitely had a fair share of Chinese New Year celebrations. Love how these noodles look and the “fiery” name!

  17. Christina says:

    Yum! I’ll totally eat these in celebration 🙂

  18. Summer says:

    I wouldn’t mind having some of this yummy goodness for dinner tonight ?

    summerdaisy.net

  19. This looks amaaaazing. I love spicy noodles. Kikkoman is my favorite too!

  20. This looks delicious! I ate so much on Chinese New Year at my school, I was stuffed! Although I wish I could try this now the leftovers are gone!

  21. Love Dan Dan noodles! I need no excuse to eat them!

  22. P says:

    My department had a chinese new year lunch, and I wish this would have been there…since I couldn’t have anything that was there because it all had meat in it 🙁

  23. Kate says:

    We did noodles too. But lo mein, not dan dan. I much prefer dan dan noodles!

  24. Sarah says:

    These noodles look to die for Joanne! We ALWAYS order Dan Dan when we’re out to our favorite Szechuan place.. will have to give your recipe a try.

  25. Fi says:

    We’re trying our first ever vegetarian week, and this recipe is our favourite so far (although I need to ease up in the spice for my kids – I couldn’t get a good chili oil and used sambal olek). One question – the ingredients asks for 2 tbspn sesame oil divided and I can see where the first tbspn is used, but not the second, could you advise?

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