Hong Shao Niu Rou Mian (Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup)

By polloazul

The recipe for this soup is based on one from Taipei's Yong Kang Beef Noodle shop.

Ingredients

• 8 lbs. beef shanks, cut crosswise into 2"-thick, bone-in pieces
• 1/4 cup Chinese rice wine
• 3 tbsp. whole black peppercorns
• 14 cloves garlic, crushed
• 8 plum tomatoes, quartered
• 8 whole star anise pods
• 4 yellow onions, quartered
• 2 dried chiles de árbol
• 1 4" piece ginger, chopped
• 3 tbsp. Chinese black vinegar
• Dark soy sauce, kosher salt, and sugar, to taste
• 12 baby bok choy
• 1 1/2 lbs. thin egg noodles
• Chopped pickled Chinese greens, for serving

Preparation

Step 1

Put beef in a pot, cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Drain beef; transfer to a clean pot with wine, peppercorns, garlic, tomatoes, star anise, onions, chiles, and ginger. Add water to cover ingredients by ½"; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer for 1 hour. Remove from heat; let sit covered for 1 hour. Transfer beef to a cutting board. Skim fat; strain and reserve broth; discard solids. Add vinegar and season with soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Pull beef from bones; cut into large chunks and add to broth.

2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add bok choy; cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer bok choy to bowls. Boil noodles until softened; drain. Divide broth, beef, and noodles among bowls. Garnish with greens.