Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles

200g wheat noodles
250g pork mince (around 10–15% fat)
3 spring onions, sliced (white and green separated)
1 thumb-sized piece ginger, finely matchsticked
Vegetable oil

The Pork Seasoning
1 teaspoon Sichuan pepper salt
1 teaspoon sesame oil

The Peanut Chilli Sauce
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1½ tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon chilli oil
1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
½ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
2–3 tablespoons hot noodle cooking water

PREPARATION

1. Mix the pork mince with Sichuan pepper salt and sesame oil until evenly seasoned, then set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, light soy sauce, chilli oil, Shaoxing rice wine and rice vinegar.
3. Add sugar and dark soy sauce, then whisk until smooth.
4. Stir in a few tablespoons of hot noodle cooking water to loosen the sauce until it becomes silky and pourable.

COOKING

1. Bring a pot of water to the boil and cook the noodles for 6-8 minutes until tender.
2. Heat a wok with a little oil over high heat and stir fry the ginger and spring onion whites until fragrant.
3. Add the seasoned pork mince and cook, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through.
4. Remove the cooked noodles directly from the boiling water and place them into the prepared peanut sauce.
5. Top the noodles with the hot minced pork mixture.
6. Toss everything together thoroughly so the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
7. Sprinkle over the sliced spring onion greens.
8. Serve immediately while hot.

School of Wok Tips

• Adding hot noodle water helps loosen peanut butter sauces and creates a silky texture.
• Fatty pork mince keeps the noodles juicy and full of flavour.
• Sichuan pepper salt adds a subtle numbing spice that complements chilli oil.
• Toss the noodles while hot so the sauce coats them evenly.

FAQs

Can I use chicken or beef instead of pork?
Yes. Chicken or beef mince both work well with the peanut chilli sauce.

What noodles should I use?
Knife-cut wheat noodles work best, but any wheat noodle or even mafaldine pasta can work.

Is this dish very spicy?
The heat level depends on the chilli oil used. You can reduce it for a milder flavour.