Hong You Niu Rou Mian (Red Oil Beef Noodle Soup)
A warming bowl of beef, greens and chewy noodles in a clear chicken broth finished with fragrant red chilli oil.
Made with Chinese chilli oil and Homemade chicken stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.44 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pour your ready made homemade chicken stock (see the base recipe) into a large pan. Add the ginger, garlic, star anise and soy sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 15 minutes to infuse.
15 min - 2
Meanwhile, cook the noodles in a separate pan of boiling water following the packet instructions. Drain and divide between four deep bowls.
7 min - 3
Strain the broth, return it to the pan and bring back to a steady simmer. Stir in the vinegar.
- 4
Add the pak choi and cook for 2 minutes until just tender. Lift it out into the bowls.
2 min - 5
Drop the thin beef slices into the simmering broth for 30 seconds, until just cooked through with no pink, then divide among the bowls.
0 min 30 s - 6
Ladle the hot broth over, then spoon your ready made Chinese chilli oil (see the base recipe) on top and scatter with the spring onions.
Tips
- Slice the beef as thinly as you can. Freeze it for 30 minutes first to make this easier.
- Cook the noodles separately so the broth stays clear and the noodles do not turn gluey.
- Add the chilli oil at the end so it floats on top. Stir it in at the table.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keep leftover broth separately in the fridge for 3 days after cooling within 2 hours, and reheat until steaming hot. Do not freeze with noodles.
Questions
Is it very spicy?
It depends on the oil. Use 20 ml for a mild bowl or add more at the table. The broth itself is not hot.
Can I use leftover roast beef?
Yes, but add it right at the end to warm through rather than simmering it, or it will turn tough.
Is it gluten free?
No, because wheat noodles and soy sauce contain gluten. Use rice noodles and gluten free tamari for a gluten free version.
More made with chinese chilli oil
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.