Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup
Chuck braised in a spiced doubanjiang and soy broth, served over wheat noodles.
- Cook
- 4 hr
- Total
- 4 hr
Not rated
Ingredients
- 1½ lbchuck roast, cut into 1½–2 inch chunks
- 8–10 cupswater
- 2 tbspneutral oil
- 1medium onion, sliced
- 4scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 clovesgarlic, smashed
- 2 inchesginger, sliced
- 1medium tomato, chopped
- 2 tbspdoubanjiang
- ½ cuplight soy sauce
- 2 tbspdark soy sauce
- 2 tbspShaoxing wine(optional)
- 1 tspsugar
- 2–3 tbspbeef bouillon, e.g. Better Than Bouillon; to taste
- to tastesalt
- 1–2 tspMSG(optional)
Spices
- 2star anise
- 1small cassia cinnamon stick
- 1 tspfennel seeds
- 3cloves
- 1 tspSichuan peppercorns(optional)
- 1bay leaf(optional)
To serve
- wheat noodles
- scallions, corn, kimchi, and chili crisp(optional)
Method
Step 1: Toast the whole spices in a dry pan for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
About 2 min
Step 2: Cover the beef with cold water, bring to a boil, and boil 5–10 minutes. Drain, rinse the beef, and clean the pot.
About 10 min
Step 3: Heat the oil and sauté the onion, scallions, garlic, and ginger 6–8 minutes until lightly browned.
About 8 min
Step 4: Add the doubanjiang and fry 1–2 minutes.
About 2 min
Step 5: Add the tomato and cook 5–8 minutes until broken down and jammy.
About 7 min
Step 6: Add the toasted spices and cook 30 seconds. Add the Shaoxing wine, if using, and reduce 30 seconds.
Step 7: Add the beef, water, soy sauces, sugar, and MSG, if using.
Step 8: Bring to a gentle simmer, skimming foam during the first 20–30 minutes. Simmer partially covered 3–3½ hours, until fork-tender.
About 3 hr 20 min
Step 9: Stir in bouillon to taste and adjust the salt and light soy sauce. Remove the whole spices.
Step 10: Serve over wheat noodles with scallions, corn, kimchi, and chili crisp, if you like.
Version 1 · updated November 15, 2026