Chinese Braised Beef Noodles

Serves: 3-4

Prep Time: 20 min

Cook Time: 2.5 hours

This juicy, tender, sweet and flavorful beef is perfectly paired with long and chewy udon noodles. Add in other vegetables for more color and crunch!

Ingredients

1 lb beef short ribs, cut into small-medium chunks

1 lb beef chuck sea salt, cut into small-medium chunks

2 tbs oil

1 large onion, sliced

4-5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1.6 inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely julienned

½ cup shaoxing cooking wine

2 whole star anise

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp Chinese five spice

3 tbs light soy

1 tsp dark soy

1-2 tbs tomato paste

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tsp cornflour

1 lb of noodles, your choice

Garnish

1-2 small cucumbers, sliced thin (optional)

6-7 cherry/grape tomatoes, cooked down until they form a “jam” (optional)

Spring onion, chopped

Chili oil, for heat (optional)

Instructions

1. Pat dry the beef cubes with a paper towel, and season both sides of the meat with salt and pepper.

2. In your instant pot, or in a saute pan, add in your oil and brown the beef in batches so that you have a nice crust. Transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside.

3. Add in another drizzle of oil and toss in your onions. Saute for 4 minutes, or until translucent and soft. Next add in your garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.

4. Deglaze the pan with the Shaoxing wine and make sure to scrape the browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the beef and any extra liquids back into the pan, toss in the spices, soy sauces, sugar and tomato paste. Mix well, reduce to low heat, and cover to let simmer for 90 minutes, or until the beef is tender.

5. While you are waiting, cook the noodles according to the packaging, strain and lightly rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking or sticking.

6. Once the beef is done, remove the cinnamon stick and star anise. Transfer the beef to a chopping board and remove the bones and slice the meat into smaller bites.

7. Remove any extra fat that is floating on top with a spoon and add in your cornstarch slurry to the sauce. Stir well while allow it to cook for another minute or two.

8. Add the meat back in, mix it well, serve over your noodles and toss to evenly coat them.

9. Garnish with vegetables, a drizzle of sesame oil, green onions and any sweet hot sauce like sriracha. Enjoy!