Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup

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

Hearty beef noodle soup simmered with tender chunks of beef and aromatic spices, served with chewy wheat noodles and greens. This chinese-inspired beef ready in about 150 minutes pairs beef shank, cut into 2-inch cubes, dried wheat noodles, ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 130 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 4 slices ginger and 3 crushed garlic cloves, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 500 g beef shank cubes and brown on all sides for 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 6 cups water, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice wine, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 2 whole star anise. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2 hours until beef is tender.
  4. Step 4: About 10 minutes before serving, cook 400 g dried wheat noodles according to package instructions until al dente, drain.
  5. Step 5: Blanch 200 g halved bok choy in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain.
  6. Step 6: Season the broth with salt to taste. To serve, place noodles and bok choy in bowls, ladle beef and broth over, garnish with 2 chopped scallions.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (20 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 Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup?

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 Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup?

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 Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup 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 Taipei-Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup?

Chinese beef 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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