Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger
A rich and fragrant beef noodle soup infused with warm spices like star anise and fresh ginger, simmered until tender and savory. This taiwanese-inspired soups ready in about 145 minutes pairs beef shank, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, dried wheat noodles, ginger, peeled and sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef shank, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 8 oz dried wheat noodles
- 2 tbsp ginger, peeled and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 tbsp rock sugar or brown sugar
- 6 cups beef broth
- 2 stalks scallions, sliced
- 2 cups bok choy, halved
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- to taste white pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef shank cubes and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 2 tbsp sliced ginger and 4 smashed garlic cloves; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Return the beef to the pot along with 3 whole star anise pods, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in 6 cups beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 2 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 8 oz dried wheat noodles in boiling salted water for 4-5 minutes until just tender, then drain.
- Step 6: In the last 5 minutes of simmering, add 2 cups halved bok choy to the broth and cook until wilted.
- Step 7: Adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve the broth and beef over the cooked noodles, garnish with 2 sliced scallions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried wheat noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Star Anise and Ginger?
Taiwanese soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
