Ching's Classic Beef Noodle Soup

TOTAL TIME:1 hr 55 min

Prep: 10 min

Inactive Prep:--

Cook:1 hr 45 min

YIELD:2 servings

LEVEL:Easy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 red chile, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 1 red Thai bird chile, stemmed, seeded and chopped
• 7 ounces beef chuck roast or boneless shin, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 quart vegetable or beef stock

• 4 ounces dried flat udon noodles
• 1 small carrot, chopped
• 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili bean sauce, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water
• 1 small Romaine lettuce heart, sliced into 1/2-inch ribbons
• 2 scallions, chopped
• Small handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and onions and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes, and then stir in the ginger, garlic and chiles and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Add the beef and stir-fry until it begins to brown, and then pour in the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the meat is very tender, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the udon according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside

Add the carrots to the simmering soup, cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Whisk together the sugar, bean sauce and soy sauce in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved and stir it into the soup. While stirring, pour the cornstarch slurry into the soup and cook until thickened, about 1 minute.

Just before serving, divide the noodles between 2 bowls. Stir the Romaine into the broth and ladle the hot soup over each bowl. Garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro and serve immediately.