Niu Rou Mian (Chinese Braised Beef Noodle Soup)
Tender beef shin and tomato braised in spiced master stock, ladled over rice noodles with greens and a spoonful of chilli oil.
Made with Chinese master stock and Chinese chilli oil. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £4.29 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
Prepare your ready made Chinese master stock and Chinese chilli oil (see the base recipes). Put the beef in a pan, cover with cold water, boil for 5 minutes, then drain and rinse.
5 min - 2
Heat the sunflower oil in a heavy casserole and brown the beef in batches for 5 minutes, until well coloured.
5 min - 3
Add the tomatoes, master stock and the 600 ml water. Bring to a simmer, cover with the lid slightly ajar and cook very gently for 2 hours, until the beef is meltingly tender.
120 min - 4
Skim the fat from the surface, taste, and add a splash of water if the broth is too salty.
- 5
Cook the rice noodles following the packet, then drain and rinse under warm water. Steam the pak choi for 3 minutes.
- 6
Divide the noodles between four bowls, add the beef and pak choi, ladle over the hot broth and finish with the spring onions and a drizzle of chilli oil.
Tips
- Beef shin gives the best flavour and a gelatinous broth. Chuck or brisket also work, but need a shorter braise.
- Rinse cooked rice noodles so they do not turn gluey in the hot broth.
- Add the chilli oil at the table so everyone can choose their own heat.
Storing and freezing
Keep the beef and broth in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Store noodles separately and reheat everything until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make niu rou mian in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the beef, then cook everything on low for 7 to 8 hours. Skim the fat and add the noodles cooked separately.
Is the soup very spicy?
Not until you add chilli oil. The broth is savoury and gently spiced, with a mild tingle from Sichuan pepper. Add as much or as little oil as you like.
Which noodles are gluten free?
Flat rice noodles are naturally gluten free. Always check the pack, as some noodles are made with wheat. Wheat noodles are traditional, but they are not coeliac safe.
More made with chinese master stock
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.