Dan Dan-Style Asian Noodles with Pork

Ingredients

• Sauce

  • 1/3 cup (75 ml) Chinese sesame paste or peanut butter (see note)
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) store-bought chili oil, or more to taste (see note)
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, finely crushed

• Pork

  • 1 lb (450 g) medium-lean ground pork
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) Shaoxing rice wine, mirin or sake (see note)
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce

• Noodles

  • 4 bok choy, quartered
  • 3/4 lb (340 g) ramen or egg noodles
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken broth, hot
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • Unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped, to taste
  • Roasted black and white sesame seeds, to taste