Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Experience the rich, savory flavors of Taiwan with Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, a beloved comfort dish featuring tender beef, aromatic broth, and chewy noodles. Perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, this soup captures the essence of Taiwanese street food and home cooking alike.

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef shank or chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 cups beef broth or water
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine or Shaoxing wine
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2–3 dried chili peppers (optional, for mild heat)
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 cup daikon radish, sliced
• 8 ounces wheat noodles or ramen-style noodles
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Braise the Beef

   In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides, then remove and set aside.

2. Build the Broth

   In the same pot, sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste, soy sauces, and rice wine. Add the beef back to the pot along with beef broth, star anise, cinnamon stick, and dried chili peppers. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1.5–2 hours, or until beef is tender.

3. Add Vegetables

   About 20 minutes before the end of cooking, add carrots and daikon radish to the pot. Continue to simmer until vegetables are soft.

4. Cook the Noodles

   Cook noodles separately according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

5. Assemble the Soup

   Place cooked noodles into serving bowls. Ladle the hot beef and broth over the noodles.

6. Garnish and Serve

   Top with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Serving

Enjoy Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup hot, optionally adding pickled mustard greens or chili oil for an authentic street-food experience. The combination of tender beef, fragrant broth, and tender noodles makes this soup a comforting and deeply satisfying meal.