Try this easy Chinese beef noodle soup recipe [spicy]

For me, there’s nothing better than a large bowl of comforting noodle soup. For me, it’s like a hug in a bowl. Perfect for when you’re feeling a little under the weather. Perfect if you fancy something healthy and light. Sometimes I don’t want to eat something too heavy or stodgy, however, I also want to be left full – and noodle soup in whatever form – be it with dumplings, chicken, or even just a simple ramen, can really hit the spot. Noodles are extremely versatile – and you can add whatever you have in your fridge, alongside fresh vegetables. And, while the best noodle soups are prepared with a delicious broth/stock that has been cooking for several hours – let’s be honest, no one really has the time to do this. And if you want to whip up a quick midweek meal, then this easy Chinese beef noodle soup recipe will become one of your favourite recipes. And I promise, Chinese cooking really doesn’t have to be difficult. 

Try this Chinese beef noodle soup…

… and in just a few simple steps, you can transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of China with a mouthwatering bowl of beef noodle soup. This popular Chinese dish is packed with flavour making it the ultimate comfort food. 

The secret to this spicy beef noodle soup recipe lies in the combination of tender beef, aromatic spices including star anise and five spice powder, and noodles. By adding thin slices of beef in a fragrant beef broth and allowing the flavours to develop, you’ll achieve a satisfying soup that will leave you craving for more. And the best part? You don’t need to spend hours simmering the beef stock – this recipe will have you enjoying a hearty good-quality bowl of beef noodle soup in no time.

Why type of beef to use?

I know that cost is often a factor, and if you’re making this five spice beef noodle soup, then get the best quality beef you can. I like to use thin slices of beef medallion steak, but you can also use braising/chuck beef. What’s great is that it’s also a good recipe to use up leftover meat – so if you had beef brisket or roast beef, short ribs or chuck roast, you can throw these in too, and skip the velveting and stir-frying process.

How to make sure the beef is tender

There’s nothing worse than chewy beef so to make sure you get really tender mouthfuls in your Chinese beef noodle soup I have a couple of simple tricks. First, make sure you slice the beef against the grain which will help the beef be less chewy. You’re essentially cutting through the muscle fibres, which are long and stringy. This creates shorter pieces of meat, making it easier to chew and resulting in tender meat. 

Next is to velvet the beef. What is velveting I hear you all asking… Velveting beef with cornflour (cornstarch) is a common technique in Chinese cooking, and it serves several purposes in dishes like  this Chinese beef noodle soup:

Tenderising – Coating the beef in a mixture of cornflour and water before cooking creates a protective layer that helps retain the meat’s moisture. This results in tender and juicy meat.
Thickening –  The cornflour forms a light, velvety coating around the cuts of beef, which thickens the soup slightly and provides a silky texture.
Flavour –  The cornflour plus the soy sauce coating also helps seal in the flavour of the beef, making it more savoury.

Ingredients needed to make beef noodle soup

To make a delicious bowl of Chinese beef noodle soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• beef steaks, thinly sliced

• beef stock/broth

• light soy sauce

• cornflour

• star anise

• garlic cloves

• fresh ginger

• Chinese five spice

• a splash of Chinese cooking wine

• 1 red chilli

• spring onions

• egg noodles, cooked according to package instructions

• fresh coriander

• Chinese chilli oil paste

All the above essential ingredients can be found at your local supermarket, Asian grocery store, or even online. 

How to make this beef noodle soup recipe

Add the cornflour [cornstarch] and 1 tablespoon of soy and Chinese cooking wine to the beef strips. Mix well and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. In a large pot, add the beef stock, soy sauce, star anise, garlic, ginger, Chinese five spice, half the spring onions, and half the chilli, then simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes or more to let the flavours infuse. When you’re ready to serve the noodle soup, heat the oil in a wok. Add the beef strips and stir fry for a few minutes until the beef is brown. Put to one side. Then divide the noodles into bowls. Add the beef strips, the coriander, the rest of the spring onions, and the chilli. Add the beef stock into the bowls. Drizzle the chilli bean paste on top and serve immediately.

Other ingredients you can add

So the great thing about this beef noodle soup is that you can add more ingredients to the meal to add different flavours and textures. Sometimes it might be that you have ingredients to use up in your fridge or cupboards. The more the better so why not try adding some of the below, too.  

You also don’t need to use egg noodles [these are what I had in my store cupboard], you can use rice noodles, ramen noodles – or any noodles you have. If you don’t have light soy, you can use dark soy sauce. It will all taste amazing…

To enhance the flavours of your beef noodle soup, try adding some of the following ingredients:

• Pak choi/baby bok choy or other leafy greens like nappa cabbage

• Sliced mushrooms 

• Bean sprouts

• Soft-boiled eggs

• Chopped peanuts

• Sesame seeds

You can also adjust the spiciness of the soup by adding more or less chilli bean paste or chilli oil. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and spices to make your perfect bowl of Chinese beef noodle soup.

Beef noodle soup is a beloved Chinese dish that is easy to make at home. With some simple ingredients, you can create a hearty and tasty soup that will impress your family and friends. Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal or a new culinary adventure, beef noodle soup is the perfect dish to try.