Kuay Teow Nuea Toon (Thai Stewed Beef Noodle Soup)
Thai beef cooked until meltingly soft in a sweet, peppery broth with rice noodles, morning glory and a squeeze of lime.
Made with Pho broth. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 20
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £5.67 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
Bash the coriander roots, garlic and peppercorns to a rough paste in a pestle and mortar.
- 2
Put the beef, paste and your ready made pho broth (see the base recipe) in a large pan with the fish sauce, sugar and dark soy. Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Cover and cook gently for 1 hour 45 minutes, until the beef is very tender. Skim off any foam.
105 min - 4
Cook the rice noodles in a separate pan following the packet, adding the beansprouts and pak choi for the last 30 seconds. Drain.
- 5
Divide the noodles and vegetables between bowls. Lift the beef out of the broth and spoon it on top.
- 6
Ladle over the hot broth and finish with Thai basil. Serve with lime wedges and chilli flakes.
Tips
- Shin or cheek gives the most tender, sticky texture. Lean cuts dry out.
- Use gluten free dark soy sauce, as most ordinary ones contain wheat.
- Skim the fat for a lighter broth, or leave it for a richer one.
- Add a splash of rice vinegar with chilli at the table for the classic sweet, sour and hot balance.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze the beef and broth for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook the beef, paste and broth on low for 8 hours, then cook the noodles separately and assemble.
What can I use if I cannot find coriander roots?
Use the stems of a bunch of coriander, which carry a similar flavour. Add them at the start of cooking.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, when made with gluten free fish sauce and dark soy, and rice noodles.
More made with pho broth
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.