Beef Chow Fun: A Wok-Tossed Classic
Craving authentic Beef chow fun noodles? My quick recipe brings Chinatown to your kitchen! Tender beef, smoky flavor, and ready in minutes. Get the secret!

- Why You'll Love This Chow Fun
- Beef Chow Fun: A Wok-Tossed Classic Recipe Card
- The Good Bits (Besides the Taste!)
- Ingredients & Equipment
- Prep Like a Pro for Simple Asian Recipes For Dinner
- Let's Get Cooking: Chow Fun, Step-by-Step
- Pro Tips for Knockout Chow Mein Chicken
- Recipe Notes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Right then, let's dive into making some proper beef chow fun: a wok-tossed classic . have you ever craved that restaurant style chow fun noodles you get from your favourite takeaway? honestly, it's easier than you think to knock up a decent batch at home! plus, it'll save you a few quid.
Why You'll Love This Chow Fun
This isn't just any old noodle dish. it's a classic cantonese favourite, famed for that smoky "wok hei" flavour. think tender beef, slithery noodles, and a sauce that'll make you want to lick the plate clean.
Originating from the bustling kitchens of guangdong, it's a staple in simple asian recipes for dinner . it is a bit of a flavour sensation, if you ask me.
It's a medium-difficulty recipe, taking about 40 minutes from start to finish. this will give you four generous portions. fancy a quick quick simple chicken dinners version? just swap out the beef for chicken.
Perfect for a midweek meal or even a casual get-together. it will quickly become one of your favourite simple chinese food recipes.
Beef Chow Fun: A Wok-Tossed Classic Recipe Card

⚖️ Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) white pepper
- 1 lb (450g) fresh wide rice noodles (chow fun noodles)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz (115g) bean sprouts
- 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup (50g) scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) dark soy sauce (for color)
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
🥄 Instructions:
- Combine beef and marinade ingredients in a bowl. Mix well and let it rest for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour in the fridge.
- Loosen the fresh rice noodles gently. If they are clumped together, carefully separate them. If the noodles seems a bit dry, steam them for a few minutes to rehydrate.
- Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking hot. Add the beef and stir-fry quickly until browned and cooked through (about 2-3 minutes). Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the wok. Stir-fry the onion and garlic until fragrant and softened. Add the bean sprouts and scallions, and cook briefly until slightly softened.
- Add the noodles to the wok and toss to combine with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the noodles and stir-fry to coat evenly.
- Add the cooked beef back to the wok and toss everything together until heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra green onions (optional).
The Good Bits (Besides the Taste!)
This recipe is more than just a treat. beef is packed with iron, and all those veggies add a good dose of vitamins.
Serve it up when you're craving something comforting, or you just need a quick and satisfying meal. it has to be one of the best thai food recipes , hands down.
You know, that's what i call a "proper decent meal."
Honestly, what makes this recipe special is the Chow Mein Sauce Easy to create at home. You can achieve restaurant style quality with all natural ingredients.
Time to gather up your bits and bobs, and get cooking!
Right then, let's talk about the bits and bobs you'll need to whip up some seriously tasty beef chow fun.
Honestly, even if you're not a kitchen whiz, don't you worry. i'll keep it dead simple. you know? we're going to make some proper simple asian recipes for dinner right here!
Ingredients & Equipment
Main Ingredients: The Noodle Lowdown
Right, let’s get started. We need the good stuff to make great Chow Fun Noodles . Here's what you'll need:
- Beef sirloin: 1 lb (450g) . Slice it thinly against the grain, mind. Quality? Look for nice marbling.
- Fresh wide rice noodles (the all-important chow fun noodles ): 1 lb (450g) . The fresher, the better, honestly.
- Veggie oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
- Onion: 1 medium , thinly sliced.
- Garlic: 2 cloves , minced finely.
- Bean sprouts: 4 oz (115g) .
- Green onions: 1/2 cup (50g) , cut into 2-inch bits.
Seasoning Notes: The Secret Sauce
Listen, the sauce is where the magic happens. Don't skip on these:
- Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .
- Oyster sauce: 1 tablespoon (15ml) .
- Dark soy sauce: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . This is for color, innit?
- Sesame oil: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
- Sugar: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) .
- Water or chicken broth : 1/4 cup (60ml) .
- Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . For the beef, you'll need soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing rice wine (or dry sherry), cornstarch, sesame oil, and white pepper. These are all flavor enhancers and aromatics that will give that perfect Chow Mein Sauce Easy . If you like Try Food Recipes , this will be amazing. For a real Simple Chinese Food Recipes , use this Chao Mein Recipe .
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
You don't need a fancy Michelin-star kitchen, right? Just the essentials:
- A proper wok or large frying pan. A wok is best to make it the best Chow Mein Chicken and Chicken Chinese Noodles
- A decent cutting board.
- A sharp knife. No blunt ones, please!
- Mixing bowls.
That’s it! Let’s get this show on the road to delicious Chinese Chicken And Noodles Recipe and make this one of your go-to Quick Simple Chicken Dinners !

Right, let's dive into this beef chow fun recipe ! honestly, who doesn't love a good noodle dish? it’s one of those simple chinese food recipes that's deceptively easy to make at home.
I remember the first time i tried making this. my noodles stuck together in a giant clump. lesson learned!
Prep Like a Pro for Simple Asian Recipes For Dinner
First things first: mise en place. sounds fancy, right? it just means "everything in its place." slice your 1 lb of beef sirloin thinly .
Get those veggies chopped. measure out all your sauces. seriously, this is the key to quick simple chicken dinners , even if you're using beef.
Marinate that beef!
Essential Mise en Place:
- Thinly slice your ingredients.
- Measure out all sauces.
- Mix ingredients together.
Safety Note: Always use a sharp knife. A dull knife is more likely to slip. Honestly, I've learned that the hard way.
Let's Get Cooking: Chow Fun, Step-by-Step
Alright, here's the good stuff. Follow these steps, and you'll be chowing down on some seriously tasty chow fun noodles in no time.
- Marinate the beef: Mix the sliced beef with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp Shaoxing rice wine, 1 tsp cornstarch, 0.5 tsp sesame oil, and 0.25 tsp white pepper. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes .
- Prep the noodles: Loosen the 1 lb fresh wide rice noodles. If they're dry, steam 'em for a few minutes.
- Make that sauce: Whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 0.5 tsp sugar, 0.25 cup water, and 1 tsp cornstarch.
- Fry the beef: Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a wok. Stir-fry the beef for 2- 3 minutes , until browned. Set aside.
- Sauté veggies: Add remaining oil. Stir-fry the 1 medium onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until fragrant. Add 4 oz bean sprouts and 0.5 cup scallions, cook briefly.
- Combine: Add the noodles to the wok. Toss with the veggies. Pour in the sauce and stir-fry evenly.
- Return the Beef: Add the cooked beef back and heat through.
- Serve immediately . Garnish with extra green onions.
Pro Tips for Knockout Chow Mein Chicken
Okay, listen up, because these tips are gold.
- Hot wok, high heat! Get that wok smoking hot. It’s the secret to "wok hei."
- Don’t overcrowd the wok. Cook the beef in batches if you have to.
- Fresh noodles are best! But if you're using dried, rehydrate them according to the packet.
Common Mistakes to Avoid: Sticking noodles! Make sure that wok is hot and keep things moving.
So there you have it! this recipe is way better than some chao mein recipe you'll find online, promise. enjoy your chicken chinese noodles , or beef ones, whatever floats your boat! honestly, once you master this you'll make ty food recipes like crazy, now you have your chow mein sauce easy ! enjoy that chinese chicken and noodles recipe .
Alright, let's chat about some notes for our beef chow fun . honestly, getting this dish right is all about the little things.
Here is some more information to guide you on the way!
Recipe Notes
Serving it Up Right (Plating and Presentation)
Right, so you've nailed your chow fun noodles , now how do you make it look the business? don't just chuck it on a plate! think presentation.
A nice wide bowl shows off the textures. a sprinkle of extra green onions always looks fresh. if you're feeling fancy, a drizzle of sesame oil on top adds a bit of shine.
Want a side? Think greens. Steamed bok choy is dead easy, and it cuts through the richness. Plus, a cold beer is the perfect match – maybe a Tsingtao if you're feeling proper!
Keeping it Fresh (Storage Tips)
Leftover chow fun noodles ? no worries! pop it in an airtight container and into the fridge. it'll be good for 2-3 days.
Honestly, it's best eaten fresh, but leftovers are still a win for lunch the next day.
Freezing isn't ideal, to be honest. the noodles can get a bit soggy. but if you must , make sure it's cooled completely before freezing.
Reheat it in a wok or pan with a splash of water to loosen it up.
Twists and Turns (Variations)
Fancy a change? easy peasy. for a dietary variation, fancy a simple chicken chow mein ? swap the beef for chicken.
Remember to marinate the chicken in the same way as the beef. if you're thinking simple chinese food recipes then it is also just as easy as switching the beef for another type of protein, such as pork!
If you are vegetarian swap out the beef and protein options and add some tofu.
Seasonally, bean sprouts are your friend. If you are thinking Thai food recipes , add a table spoon of peanut butter with chilli oil for a kick.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks (Nutrition Basics)
Okay, so this isn't exactly health food, but it's not all bad either! you're getting protein from the beef, some fiber from the veggies, and carbs from the noodles.
It is also a great way to make some quick simple chicken dinners for a hearty meal.
Just be mindful of the soy sauce – it can be high in sodium. And let's be real, that's where a lot of the flavour is! It's all about balance, innit?
This Beef Chow Fun is a winner. Now go on, give it a go! You'll have some tasty noodles ready in no time!

Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are chow fun noodles, anyway?
Chow fun noodles are broad, flat rice noodles, a bit like tagliatelle but made from rice flour. They're the star of the show in dishes like Beef Chow Fun! You can usually find them fresh in Asian supermarkets, and sometimes dried, which need rehydrating. Fresh ones give the best texture, mind you.
My chow fun noodles keep sticking together. How do I stop that?
Ah, the dreaded sticky noodle situation! The key is to loosen the noodles before you chuck them in the wok. Gently separate them by hand, and if they're really clumpy, a quick steam for a couple of minutes can help loosen them up without making them soggy. Tossing them with a bit of oil before adding them to the wok can also do the trick.
Can I make vegetarian chow fun noodles, and what would I use instead of beef?
Absolutely, you can! Vegetarian Chow Fun is a winner. Just ditch the beef and load up on the veggies. Mushrooms (like shiitake or oyster), bell peppers, carrots, tofu, and even those little baby corn things work a treat. Just make sure you've got a good hit of umami in the sauce to replace the beefy flavour – a dash of mushroom soy sauce or a bit more oyster sauce (if you're okay with it being vegetarian-ish) can do the trick.
What's the best way to get that "wok hei" smoky flavour in my Beef Chow Fun at home?
"Wok hei" is the holy grail, isn't it? To get that smoky flavour at home, you need a seriously hot wok – as hot as your hob will let you! Don't overcrowd the wok; cook the beef in batches if you need to. Make sure your oil is smoking before adding ingredients, and keep everything moving. If you have a gas hob it's easier but electric ones can still work if you get them really hot.
How long does cooked Beef Chow Fun last, and what's the best way to store it?
Cooked Chow Fun is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you reheat it, it can be a bit dry, so add a splash of water or broth to the pan while reheating. Microwaving also works, but it might make the noodles a bit softer than ideal.
Is Beef Chow Fun healthy? What are some nutritional considerations?
Well, it's not exactly a salad, is it? Beef Chow Fun can be quite high in sodium, thanks to the soy sauce and oyster sauce. It's also fairly carb-heavy from the noodles. To make it healthier, you could use less soy sauce, add more veggies, and choose lean beef. It's a tasty treat, but perhaps not for every day, eh?
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