Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and spicy beef noodle soup from the imperial city of Huế, featuring lemongrass, chili, and tender slices of beef. This vietnamese ready in about 210 minutes pairs beef bones, water, inches ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 190 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 lbs beef bones and place in a large pot with 12 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat and skim off any scum for 10 minutes. Drain bones and rinse pot.
  2. Step 2: Return bones to the pot with 12 cups fresh water, add 3 bruised lemongrass stalks and 2-inch sliced ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook uncovered for 3 hours, skimming occasionally.
  3. Step 3: After simmering, remove bones, lemongrass, and ginger with a slotted spoon. Stir in 1 tbsp dried chili flakes, 1/4 cup fish sauce, and 1 tbsp rock sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, soak 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles in warm water for 15 minutes until pliable, then drain.
  5. Step 5: To serve, divide noodles between 4 bowls. Top with 8 oz thinly sliced beef sirloin. Ladle hot broth over the beef to cook it gently.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1 cup bean sprouts, 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil, 2 tbsp sliced green onions, sliced red chili, and lime wedges for squeezing. Enjoy the spicy, aromatic flavors of Huế.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass?

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 beef bones from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass?

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 Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass 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 Spicy Huế-Style Beef Noodle Soup with Lemongrass?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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.

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