Recreating J. Kenji López-Alt's Dan Dan Noodles From Taste | Reverse Engineering

Recreating J. Kenji López-Alt's Dan Dan Noodles From Taste | Reverse Engineering | Bon Appétit

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2 жыл бұрын

We challenged resident Bon Appétit supertaster and test kitchen director Chris Morocco to recreate J. Kenji López-Alt's Dan Dan noodles. The catch? He'll have to use each of his senses - other than sight. Does Chris have what it takes to recognize and reproduce these Dan Dan noodles if using his eyes is a no-no?
See J. Kenji López-Alt's original Dan Dan Noodles recipe here: www.seriouseats.com/dan-dan-n...
Check out J. Kenji López-Alt's new cookbook, THE WOK: Recipes and Techniques, on-sale now.
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Пікірлер: 342

@icee_lemon5854 2 жыл бұрын

I think it’s really cool how we finally got to give Chris his real percentages after round 1. That commenter had been asking for it for months and they finally got what they wanted :D I think it’s a great idea and makes it more interesting/entertaining to watch

@__dane__ 2 жыл бұрын

I like the idea of him getting a little report card in the middle. This is probably my favorite episode recently. I like seeing Chris get his already wide range made even broader

@karlcarlsburg9641 2 жыл бұрын

You identified scallions by SMELLING THE CLOCHE?! Dude is insane. Ya

@caesar8875 2 жыл бұрын

LOVE the new format! Gas-lighting Chris has been fun, but I love watching him go through his thought process.

@wbfaulk 2 жыл бұрын

By "new format", do you mean "old format"?

@caesar8875 2 жыл бұрын

@@wbfaulk Chris now receives his actual scores after his first attempt.

@Dylans503 2 жыл бұрын

The format is KNEW

@voightkampffchamp 2 жыл бұрын

That's not what gaslighting means.

@akitachow Жыл бұрын

I’m surprised he doesn’t know that there are Sichuan pickled vegetables in Dan Dan noodles. 😀

@khaledarisheh6697 2 жыл бұрын

Chris’ thought process and particularly how on the money he is most of the time is mind blowing.

@TheDerangedGENIUS 2 жыл бұрын

I’d love to see him do one of his own old dishes for April Fools.

@melodybrookeboyett175 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect idea!

@ellieisanerd 2 жыл бұрын

Great idea!!

@jizzledoops6789 2 жыл бұрын

People keep saying this but he would know immediately

@jack76787 2 жыл бұрын

@@jizzledoops6789 The reaction would be worth it.

@trash3570 2 жыл бұрын

The reason this is commented on every video but is never done is because they probably tried it, and it was a huge flop

@e.i.1365 2 жыл бұрын

I really miss the part where Chris goes to the supermarket to fetch the ingredients..

@Dylan-uy4pk 2 жыл бұрын

Same

@jaerhee6084 2 жыл бұрын

recording during the pandemic is probably somewhat logistically challenging in NYC? Or at least not a good look to be out w/ a camera crew. Hopefully the shopping portion comes back later.

@RARosie1 2 жыл бұрын

She graded him so good and very honestly! I feel like others give him good scores cuz they either feel bad or just because it’s Chris.

@heatherp2707 2 жыл бұрын

@@bananafingerguns7212 no she didn’t, Jessie identifies as she/they according to their Instagram bio.

@b_uppy 2 жыл бұрын

You think others could do as well as Chris? Let's have him do a challenge and compare it beside other staff members' blindfolded efforts and grade it that way. The grading is already likely very arbitrary...

@SchreiRulesYouKnow 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, usually I feel like they always grade him generously.

@cjwhite7801 2 жыл бұрын

@@bananafingerguns7212 who cares

@angelbob77 2 жыл бұрын

True asian grading here lmao. My american side would've graded him higher cause of the effort he made and how impressive it was that he was basically able to figure out all the ingredients bar the Sichuan preserved vegetables that he wasn't aware of and the fact that there was a separate dressing and chili oil. But my asian side also respects the fact that this person didn't hold back and deducted points on things that most humans wouldn't even get close to figuring out, especially someone who has very little experience with Asian cuisine. Considering all that I feel like this was one of the most impressive episodes I've seen of Chris recreating dishes in this series so far.

@princeanuragi1175 2 жыл бұрын

I always wonder how do producer's hold their laugh and amazement when chris tells almost all just after taking off the lid xD

@bruellwitz 2 жыл бұрын

Missed a massive oportunity here to get a shopping cart and let Chris ride it across the test kitchen just for this video, when he wasn't able to go shopping himself.

@amandawoo3093 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t know if they already do this, but Chris should be allowed to listen to himself verbalize what he’s tasting as he’s writing his grocery list

@ishitasolanki2422 2 жыл бұрын

Man, this guy is IMPRESSIVE.

@adamk4662 2 жыл бұрын

Mate, whether you are right or wrong just being able to talk about food like that is impressive.

@martaschummer1413 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see the original creator of the dish tasting and scoring the food Chris has made.

@spekkio101 2 жыл бұрын

If you haven't watched the Chicken Tikka Masala episode, you should check it out! Madhur Jaffrey grades it along with Priya and tells some fun stories.

@Theoneandonlyenelie Жыл бұрын

@@spekkio101 such a good episode

@WeArePharmers 2 жыл бұрын

The outro should have been a clip of Chris reacting to trying his preserved vegetables!

@doug539 2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact about Szechuan Peppercorns that most western people don't know about, there are two types of peppercorns, a green one and a red one, I see Chris is using the red one in the video. Most Chinese people can't tell them apart but they are used drastically different. The green one, imo, is more frequently used in Szechuan dishes even though it is lesser known, is to create that numbing taste in spicy dishes; while the red one can be used in other mainly meat dishes, to get rid of the gamy taste of meat. In Dan Dan noodles however, I don't think either are being used in the traditional recipe, and if I were to add peppercorns, I would probably use the green one, for more taste.

@dmcken4671 2 жыл бұрын

Chris is so amazing. Also, I'm so happy BA listened to the viewers' wishes.

@carok6817 2 жыл бұрын

I like how instead of spoons he has chopsticks in his apron pocket. 😁

@giabea. 2 жыл бұрын

Love J. Kenji! Hope he sees this!

@gilgameshmcballin 2 жыл бұрын

A dish he's never made before, against Kenji? I'd say Chris did a phenomenal job. I'm sure Kenji, the chill awesome guy he is would also agree.

@Spyhermit 2 жыл бұрын

I keep watching chris not trust his feelings and go with "what a chef would do". Use that super tasting and moonshot it.

@sradcliffe 2 жыл бұрын

Kenji recipes are so out of left field, I'm amazed he did even that well

@Pzychotix 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly, I'm completely surprised how well he does with food completely outside his wheelhouse. I half expected him to not even know what the name of the dish was.

@flywan 2 жыл бұрын

Ingredient is fair. Chinese cooking involve soooo many ingredients that's sometimes not discernable if not tasted before

@jieruiqian9302 2 жыл бұрын

Chris's approach of chili oil resembles northern style chili oil which is nice, but in Si Chuan Dan Dan they use a mixture of chili powder/flake along with white sesame seeds and grounded peppercorn, slowly pour in hot oil while giving it a stir , that way you won't be concerning about burning the ingredients and the oil gets its red color.

@julesp1112 2 жыл бұрын

This is one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen with respect to cooking. I can’t believe Chris can do this. Amazing!

@harrynorman23 2 жыл бұрын

Fruit ninja moment is very underrated B roll

@JamesPawson 2 жыл бұрын

Like so many of us, he's afraid to really crank the heat on the wok-- so his pork didn't crisp up like Kenji's... that was bothering me the whole time. Chris is still a genius, though.

@KRayxKodessA 2 жыл бұрын

I've never understood why he scores himself on appearance, when he doesn't get to see the plating until the very end.

@vickylikesthis 2 жыл бұрын

WHO IS THIS AWESOME NEW PERSON? i like their style and demeanor. also, "i understand that" is such a classy response when you disagree with someone lol

@brycewalburn3926 2 жыл бұрын

10:13 - y'all did Chris dirty with that zoom

@FalconTalk 2 жыл бұрын

I’ll re-watch that Kenji grilled cheese chorizo sandwich video every single day. Jesse’s fade is amazing btw

@katlanhams7682 2 жыл бұрын

They need to do a version of this with Chris Morocco’s kids where he has to recreate whatever Frankenstein dish that they create

@getreadywithmemamma6973 2 жыл бұрын

Like, I feel like if Chris wasn’t working in food, he’d be somewhere assessing crime scenes, or at the very least a forensic pathologist. Maybe even blindfolded. Chris is scary but in a cool, harmless way. Or maybe he would be training seeing eye dogs or I don’t know. You’re amazing Chris! Who else is like this? Like who? I feel like Chris is grading the rest of the human race like ughhh better luck next time, you fall short here and here etc. but again like, in a funny way.

@SuperUTubeLogin 2 жыл бұрын

Pilot G-2 Pens show Chris' class here. Love the show.

@HarrisonMartin 2 жыл бұрын

This new format is totally game changing!!! Keep it up BA / CHRIS!

@celine542 2 жыл бұрын

Agree! Loved this format!!

@spruhakurlekar261 2 жыл бұрын

Okay if team is reading this: LOVE the new format. This is so much more substantial now. Gaslighting Chris is only funny when you have a really, REALLY funny editor.

@jesspell 2 жыл бұрын

always so thankful that chris didnt leave during bon appe-geddon

@tiredofit4761 2 жыл бұрын

Can’t get enough of Chris! He’s good, his demeanor is great!

@ask230 2 жыл бұрын

20:55 You can screw around with those preserved vegetables for years, not weeks. They last forever.

@mmessi72 8 ай бұрын

I like the change of him seeing his score. It's a nice shift to make the second round count more.

@lydiadelane5500 Жыл бұрын

Lets have brad do this for an episode to see how it compares to chris!

@joegeoghan 2 жыл бұрын

I love how you can tell how badly Chris wants the A+ even though it's just a video for fun.

@kimmckenzie5276 2 жыл бұрын

What a great video. I’m craving Dan Dan noodles so bad right now.

@Meep9092 2 жыл бұрын

Love the new way of doing things! Good job too Chris! Now I really want some of these though!

@aleclynch6186 2 жыл бұрын

Chris: "Ok... Ok... I mean that's cool" Narrator: It was not cool

@viligante8 2 жыл бұрын

Well now I need to go get some Dan Dan Noodles. Thanks a lot BA...I'm so...excited!

@IVEmine 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the grading on this episode! Much representation to the accuracy of the dish. Also, this new format is great!

@CitizenKirkwood 2 жыл бұрын

Chris, Brad, and Andre are the power trio that is keeping BA alive.

@givememore4free 2 жыл бұрын

You forgot about Harold.

@emmavincent1306 2 жыл бұрын

Enjoying this new format with chris' scoring!! Love bon Appétit!

@squeektheweek6949 2 жыл бұрын

Great to have Kenji getting a shout out here, big fan!

@poopmonkey48 2 жыл бұрын

How impressive Chris is as a chef really can't be overstated

@juancervantes313 2 жыл бұрын

They should put the ending results on a table and let chris flip it over with everything on it if he gets mad.

@coffeeaddict4153 2 жыл бұрын

I've watched two different Kenji dan dan noodles videos, neither of them matched this recipe. I wonder where they got this one?

@gibbyg2001 2 жыл бұрын

This dude is a freaking wizard.

@bth5202 2 жыл бұрын

LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!

@travis8592 2 жыл бұрын

Chris your accuracy is incredible also I made this twice already and prefer it without the added raw garlic.

@irvine5732 2 жыл бұрын

I like this format. It's nice seeing you have the ability to re-guide yourself with a bit of correction.

@Nokenify 2 жыл бұрын

Best series you got. Chris, you are awesome!

@MrXiaoqiao 2 жыл бұрын

It's kind of a bummer that he gets points removed if he has the right ingredients but they're in the wrong element of the dish (in the sauce, not the garnish or something) since he DID taste it and correctly identify it, plus if the flavors are able to be eaten in layers, that sounds like an ununcorperated dish, in my opinion.

@TheCRYSTALLURE 2 жыл бұрын

When Chris got his actual scores back he definitely gave us the Kombucha Lady expressions “Huuhhhmmm…ooo…uh….yeaaa” 🤣🤣🤣😹😹.

@KenmyeahFTW 2 жыл бұрын

watched kenjis vid of this last night! what great timing.

@armonidarfe4342 2 жыл бұрын

Chris: gets 76 over all after giving himself an overall 76 Me: Leo DiCaprio pointing at TV meme

@jmurphy6011 2 жыл бұрын

I miss his kids. Seeing him parenting while cooking was really cool.

@jordanh865 2 жыл бұрын

I hate how he gets hit for technique and ingrdients when he puts some ingredients in a different part of the dish prep. He has the ingredients so much closer than he was credited....... it's just that they were in a slightly different step. I get the ding in one category.... but not both...

@PetitChouPumpkin 2 жыл бұрын

Can we gift Chris a shopping cart for the kitchen so he can ride it around anyway?

@aniephotography4495 2 жыл бұрын

In all Chris' series, always amazed how he can predict not only the ingredients but the cooking techniques...

@Rood0808 2 жыл бұрын

The sloth eye mask is by far my favorite one so far.

@markchristopher4165 2 жыл бұрын

Chris is so gracious here. That's all I'm going to say...

@BadNemo8487 2 жыл бұрын

His knowledge is Mind blowing!

@EdonFlat 2 жыл бұрын

fantastic episode! thanks for sharing this

@kpproductions7421 2 жыл бұрын

Really miss old BA, it’ll never be the same…

@rice1067 2 жыл бұрын

Samee

@aoifem4566 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like in every version Kenji has published out online, he's put the garlic in with the pork and ginger mix?

@MrPrestonTsama 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, that is definitely how you would typically make it

@addieira03 2 жыл бұрын

Weirdly, Chris's version was very similar to Kenji's KZfaq version

@xmly7 2 жыл бұрын

omg finally hes back at the test kitchen, missed it so much

@2craNER 2 жыл бұрын

I wish there was an episode where we won't see how it is made and what the original is like. So we would also see in the dark and see how good Chris is.

@thatjuanguy5 2 жыл бұрын

Ive seen Kenjis recipe video so much that just by catching that little snippet of Chris tossing the noodles in the wok I already knew.. Chris is about to fail.

@deprofundis3293 2 жыл бұрын

It sounds really good - so you've made it? Are the preserved veggies necessary?

@ZeroFate643 2 жыл бұрын

@@deprofundis3293 Some recipes will substitute bok choy or another pickled vegetable. The brightness and acidity is an important element, but the specific pickle used is not crucial.

@tvweather860 2 жыл бұрын

First thing I thought with Dan Dan noodles was preserved veggies. If he'd ever made it before he would have known that was a major ingredient. Other than that he did pretty well.

@isakgustavsen6536 2 жыл бұрын

That’s kinda the issue when giving him recipes so outside of what he knows. You can’t use something you didn’t know existed. Makes for an interesting challenge though

@lingpang7209 2 жыл бұрын

Legit two of my faves!

@abrinks 2 жыл бұрын

The eyes on the mask are fricken great

@Cyrribrae 2 жыл бұрын

This is a good one! I think Jessie was a good foil for Chris at the end of the day.

@dseebie Жыл бұрын

If y'all can get your hands on that brand of preserved vegetables, it is FIRE.

@crashlikewaves 2 жыл бұрын

I like this format so much better! Next can he have lifelines AND his scores??

@ericalucy0802 2 жыл бұрын

I wish he had more experience in Asian food in general…it was really nice try though!

@mainimum 2 жыл бұрын

Chris. I love you. Enough said.

@m.theresa1385 2 жыл бұрын

Terrific job Chris. To me the dressing of oil poured over makes a difference. That film of hot oil in the base of the dish is one of my favorite parts of eating Dan Dan noodles.

@wwanimalsavers 2 жыл бұрын

Omg, I've been watching kenji make dan dan on repeat lol. Absolutely perfect timing

@jonathoncunningham 2 жыл бұрын

Chris looks like a comic book superhero in this mask…. Sloth Man on the culinary case lol

@orchidpanda2253 Жыл бұрын

BA being too rigid docking points for things like preserved sichuan veg -- if you look at the ingredients for that it includes garlic, ginger, sugar, etc... so Chris got close there. I love this series... always amazed by Chris' taste buds.

@Rice_Cake_ 2 жыл бұрын

Sesame Paste! Does Kenji actually make this without roasted Sesame paste? That's pretty much the only common ingredient in all forms of DanDan I've seen. Incredible sleuthing by Chris!

@Ass4ssinX 2 жыл бұрын

That's so weird. I swear his recipe used to include tahini. I've made it many, many times.

@givememore4free 2 жыл бұрын

In the description, they list the KZfaq video that Kenji made his Dan Dan Noodles.

@HoangNguyen-im4rd 2 жыл бұрын

Chris out here playing irl fruit ninja 11:01

@waylendmatagi2652 2 жыл бұрын

I love how they replaced him going to the store with dramatic shots of his face front profile

@smallandugly 2 жыл бұрын

Disappointed thst you didn't get Kenji to evaluate, considering that he's part of serious eats. It would have been fun if they had started nerding about why they did what and how the differences show.

@benaviberkowitz2115 2 жыл бұрын

I was hoping to see Kenji in this too.

@givememore4free 2 жыл бұрын

Kenji said that he's traveling right now with the kids and his wife. His wife just gave birth, and he's taking a vacation.