Have you ever felt the craving for something warm, hearty, and utterly delicious? Well, you’re in luck, because today I’m diving into a recipe that’s bound to tick all those boxes: Chinese Beef Noodles. Trust me, this dish doesn’t just satisfy your hunger; it sends your taste buds on a whirlwind adventure.
But before I take you through the step-by-step process, let me share why I adore Chinese Beef Noodles and why you will too!
What is Chinese Beef Noodles?
Chinese Beef Noodles are a culinary gem that melds tender beef slices with perfectly cooked egg noodles, all generously coated in a rich, savory sauce. This dish is a staple in many Chinese households and street stalls. It’s not just a meal but an experience that brings together flavors, textures, and aromas in a way that’s simply irresistible.
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Why You’ll Love This Chinese Beef Noodles
Why this recipe, you ask? For starters, it’s like a one-way ticket to flavor-town. The beef is juicy. The noodles are slurp-worthy. And the sauce? Let’s just say it could win awards. Plus, it’s a breeze to make and doesn’t require fancy ingredients. Your kitchen will smell divine, and everyone around the dinner table will be impressed.
The Ingredients
Alright, let’s get to the core of it. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Broccoli: 1 large head, cut into bite-sized florets
- Onion: 1/2, thinly sliced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Beef: 350 – 400 g (12 – 14 oz) of rump or fillet, thinly sliced
- Oil: 1 1/2 tbsp of peanut or vegetable oil
- Egg noodles: 400 – 450 g (14 – 15 oz) – fresh from the fridge works best
For the Sauce:
- Water: 1/2 cup (125 ml)
- Cornstarch: 1 tbsp
- Chinese cooking wine: 1 1/2 tbsp (Shaoxing wine works too)
- Dark soy sauce: 2 tbsp
- Light soy sauce: 1 1/2 tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp white sugar (omit if using Mirin)
- Pepper: 1/4 tsp black or white
- Sesame oil: 1/2 tsp toasted (optional)
- Chinese five-spice powder: 1/8 tsp (optional)
- Oyster sauce: 1 tbsp
- Ginger: 1 tsp finely grated
Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced shallots, green onions, or scallions
Step by Step Instructions
Ready to cook? Let’s roll up our sleeves and get things cooking!
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
First off, get everything ready. Trust me, it makes life easier.
- Broccoli: Cut it into small, bite-sized florets.
- Onion and Garlic: Slice the onion thinly and mince the garlic.
- Beef: Slice your beef into thin strips. If the beef is slightly frozen, it helps to slice it more thinly.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Next, let’s tackle the noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions.
- Drain and set aside. If they stick together, rinse them in cold water and toss them lightly in oil.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
Here’s the magic mix:
- In a bowl, combine water, cornstarch, and Chinese cooking wine.
- Add dark and light soy sauces.
- Stir in sugar, pepper, sesame oil, five-spice powder, oyster sauce, and ginger.
- Mix well and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté the Aromatics
Time to build the flavor base:
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the onion slices and garlic.
- Stir-fry until the onion turns translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 5: Cook the Beef
This part smells AMAZING:
- Turn the heat up to high.
- Add the sliced beef to the pan.
- Cook until the beef is browning but still tender. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 6: Combine and Simmer
Almost there:
- Add the broccoli florets and give it a good stir.
- Pour in the sauce mix.
- Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is tender but still crunchy.
Step 7: Mix in the Noodles
Finish up strong:
- Add the cooked egg noodles to the pan.
- Use tongs to toss everything together so the noodles are coated in the sauce.
- Let it cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 8: Serve
The moment we’ve been waiting for:
- Transfer the noodles and beef to a serving dish.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you like.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
Enhance your cooking with these handy tips:
- Prep ahead: Cut your veggies and beef in advance to save time.
- Marinate: Marinate the beef in a little soy sauce and cornstarch for extra tenderness.
- High heat: Always stir-fry on high heat to achieve that lovely sear.
- Al dente noodles: Don’t overcook the noodles; you want them firm enough to hold up in the stir-fry.
- Store sauce separately: If you plan to store leftovers, keep the sauce separate to avoid soggy noodles.
Nutrition Information
Can I Store Chinese Beef Noodles?
Absolutely! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave or heat it in a pan, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
What Can I Serve With Chinese Beef Noodles?
Although it’s a complete meal, you can pair it with some delightful sides:
- Spring Rolls: Crispy and delicious.
- Wonton Soup: Perfect for starting the meal.
- Steamed Dumplings: Always a crowd-pleaser.
- Stir-fried Green Beans: Adds another veggie element.
- Fried Rice: If you’re feeling extra hungry.
Variations
Curious to tweak the recipe? Here you go!
Vegetarian Option: Swap the beef for tofu or mushrooms. Still tasty and savory.
Spicy Twist: Add some chili flakes or Szechuan peppercorns for a kick.
Seafood Delight: Try shrimp or scallops instead of beef.
Gluten-Free: Use rice noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
Extra Veggies: Throw in bell peppers, snap peas, or baby corn for extra nutrition.
Equipment
- Large pan
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 large head broccoli cut into bite-sized florets
- 1/2 onion thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 350 – 400 g / 12 – 14 oz beef rump or fillet thinly sliced (or any quick-cooking cut of beef)
- 1 1/2 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil
- 400 – 450 g / 14 – 15 oz egg noodles Hokkien, lo mein, or Singapore style—fresh from the fridge
Sauce:
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch or cornflour
- 1 1/2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine or Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp white sugar omit if using Mirin
- 1/4 tsp black or white pepper
- 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil optional
- 1/8 tsp Chinese five-spice powder optional
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp ginger finely grated
- Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced shallots green onions, or scallions
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
- First off, get everything ready. Trust me, it makes life easier.
- Broccoli: Cut it into small, bite-sized florets.
- Onion and Garlic: Slice the onion thinly and mince the garlic.
- Beef: Slice your beef into thin strips. If the beef is slightly frozen, it helps to slice it more thinly.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
- Next, let’s tackle the noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions.
- Drain and set aside. If they stick together, rinse them in cold water and toss them lightly in oil.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
- Here’s the magic mix:
- In a bowl, combine water, cornstarch, and Chinese cooking wine.
- Add dark and light soy sauces.
- Stir in sugar, pepper, sesame oil, five-spice powder, oyster sauce, and ginger.
- Mix well and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté the Aromatics
- Time to build the flavor base:
- Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the onion slices and garlic.
- Stir-fry until the onion turns translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
Step 5: Cook the Beef
- This part smells AMAZING:
- Turn the heat up to high.
- Add the sliced beef to the pan.
- Cook until the beef is browning but still tender. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 6: Combine and Simmer
- Almost there:
- Add the broccoli florets and give it a good stir.
- Pour in the sauce mix.
- Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is tender but still crunchy.
Step 7: Mix in the Noodles
- Finish up strong:
- Add the cooked egg noodles to the pan.
- Use tongs to toss everything together so the noodles are coated in the sauce.
- Let it cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 8: Serve
- The moment we’ve been waiting for:
- Transfer the noodles and beef to a serving dish.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if you like.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Prep ahead: Cut your veggies and beef in advance to save time.
- Marinate: Marinate the beef in a little soy sauce and cornstarch for extra tenderness.
- High heat: Always stir-fry on high heat to achieve that lovely sear.
- Al dente noodles: Don’t overcook the noodles; you want them firm enough to hold up in the stir-fry.
- Store sauce separately: If you plan to store leftovers, keep the sauce separate to avoid soggy noodles.
Nutrition
FAQ
1. Can I use different noodles?
Certainly! While egg noodles are traditional, you can use udon, rice noodles, or even spaghetti in a pinch.
2. Is there a substitute for Chinese cooking wine?
Yes, dry sherry or mirin (reduce the sugar if using mirin) work well.
3. Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the beef and veggies in advance and mix everything just before serving. This keeps it fresh.
4. What’s the best way to slice beef thinly?
Partially freeze the beef; it makes slicing thinly much easier. A sharp knife is also key.
5. Is this dish kid-friendly?
Absolutely! The flavors are rich but not overpowering. You can adjust the sauce to make it less salty or omit the optional spices.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! Chinese Beef Noodles – a dish that’s simple, flavorful, and sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, this recipe is a guaranteed hit. So what are you waiting for? Head to the kitchen and start cooking!
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more