Dan Dan Noodles

Of all the Sichuan street foods, this dish has probably the highest profile and is also the most well-travelled. It was originally sold by itinerant hawkers in Chengdu, and the name is believed to derive from the bamboo pole, or dan, slung across the hawkers’ shoulders. The dan held baskets at each end containing cooking paraphernalia such as a stove and other kitchen equipment. The hawkers announced their arrival by shouting ‘Dan dan mien!’