Salt Capital Dan Dan Noodles

Salt Capital Dan Dan Noodles

　　Dan Dan Noodles are a famous snack from Zigong. The noodles are made from wheat flour, rolled out, boiled, and then topped with a secret savory broth. The finished dish features thin, delicate noodles in a rich, fragrant sauce that is salty, savory, and slightly spicy, bursting with aroma and deeply flavorful. This dish is widely popular across Sichuan and is often served as a dim sum course at banquets.

Among Dan Dan Noodles, the most famous are those made by Li Xinyuan, which were first created before the liberation by a renowned Sichuan opera actor named Li Xinyuan from Zigong. The name comes from the fact that they were originally sold by street vendors carrying the noodles in baskets on shoulder poles. In the past, street vendors used a single bronze pot divided into two sections—one for boiling the noodles and the other for stewing beef or pork knuckle. Nowadays, Dan Dan Noodles in cities like Chongqing, Chengdu, and Zigong are mostly sold in shops, but they still retain their traditional characteristics, especially those from Zigong, which remain the most distinctive.

Nowadays, Li Xinyuan Dan Dan Noodles in Zigong has expanded to numerous branches, and the menu has evolved from offering only the classic spicy red version to including both red and white varieties. The selection now includes a range of noodle dishes such as noodles, wontons, rice noodles, and vermicelli, with toppings like beef, chicken, pork, and spicy bean paste, featuring dozens of flavors and styles. However, if you’re interested in trying them, it’s best to visit the original old shop located at the entrance of the China Unicom service center on Wuxing Street in Zigong City—you’re sure to have an unforgettable culinary experience.