Dan Zai Mian (Tainan Danzai Noodles with Shrimp and Pork)
Local name: 擔仔麵
In short: Dan zai mian is a Tainan classic: a small bowl of thin noodles in sweet shrimp broth, topped with braised minced pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and cilantro. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Danzai noodles come from Tainan, in southern Taiwan, where they are served in small bowls as a light snack. Thin wheat noodles sit in a sweet shrimp broth, topped with a spoonful of soy-braised minced pork, a poached shrimp, crunchy bean sprouts and cilantro. A dab of garlic vinegar finishes it. Make the pork topping in a big batch, because it improves with time and goes well over plain rice too.
Instructions
- Peel the shrimp, leaving the tails on, and pull out the dark vein. Keep the heads and shells. Refrigerate the shrimp. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pot over medium heat and fry the heads and shells for 2 to 3 minutes until orange and fragrant.
- Add the water, ginger and wine to the shells. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain the broth into a clean pot and season with the salt. Keep it hot.
- For the topping, heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the shallots for 5 to 6 minutes until golden, then add the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the pork and cook, breaking it up, for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
- Pour in the wine, then add both soy sauces, the sugar, pepper and water. Simmer for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the pork is soft and the sauce is thick and glossy. The pork should read 71°C (160°F).
- Bring the shrimp broth to a simmer and poach the peeled shrimp for 2 minutes until pink, opaque and curled. Lift them out and set aside.
- Blanch the bean sprouts in boiling water for 20 seconds and divide among 4 small bowls. Cook the noodles in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, drain well and divide into the bowls.
- Top each bowl with 2 shrimp, 2 tablespoons of the pork topping, a little garlic vinegar and cilantro. Ladle the hot broth around the noodles and serve.
Tips
- Fry the shrimp heads and shells until they turn orange before adding water. This step gives the broth its sweetness and deep color.
- Make a double batch of the pork topping. It keeps for 5 days in the refrigerator or 3 months in the freezer, and is excellent over plain rice.
Questions and answers
What are danzai noodles?
Danzai noodles are a specialty of Tainan: a small bowl of thin noodles in shrimp broth with braised minced pork, a shrimp, bean sprouts and cilantro. The name is usually linked to the carrying poles street vendors once used.
Why are the bowls so small?
Traditionally they were a light snack eaten between meals. For a full meal, double the noodles and toppings per person, or serve two bowls each.
Can I use chicken stock instead of shrimp broth?
You can, but the shrimp shell broth gives the dish its sweetness and is cheap and quick to make. If you use stock, simmer a few shrimp shells in it for 10 minutes first.
How long does it take to make Dan Zai Mian (Tainan Danzai Noodles with Shrimp and Pork)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dan Zai Mian (Tainan Danzai Noodles with Shrimp and Pork)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
