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Fried Rice Noodles with Beef and Broccolini

Fried Rice Noodles with Beef and Broccolini

By Hisham Ali HassanMarch 26, 2025

  • Makes
    4 servings
  • Cook Time
    50 minutes

Savory, sweet, slippery and chewy fried rice noodles with beef is a Hong Kong staple. Our favorite version was at Tai Ping Koon Restaurant, where cook Tsang Ying Kwan showed us how it’s made. To approximate the wide fresh rice noodles that are traditional, we use ½-inch dried rice sticks. For the greens, we opted for Broccolini. A 12- to 14-inch wok provides room to easily toss the ingredients; a 12-inch skillet is tighter, but also works. Either way, pour the seasoning mixture down the sides of the pan—not onto the food—to speed cooking and promote caramelization.

Tip

Don’t use boiling water to hydrate the noodles; they will end up too soft. Hot tap water is best. The noodles should not be fully tender after soaking; they will absorb additional moisture in the pan.

Ingredients
  • 10

    ounces dried rice stick noodles (see headnote)

  • 3

    tablespoons neutral oil, divided

  • cup soy sauce

  • 3

    tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry

  • 2

    tablespoons white sugar

  • 1

    tablespoon light or dark molasses

  • 1

    tablespoon fish sauce

  • Kosher salt and ground white pepper

  • 1

    tablespoon cornstarch

  • 12

    ounces flank steak, cut with the grain into 2- to 3-inch pieces, then sliced against the grain about ⅛ inch thick

  • 8

    ounces Broccolini, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2

    medium garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 4

    scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths

  • 1

    tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar

Step 1

Place the noodles in a large bowl and add warm water to cover. Let stand, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes; the noodles will become pliable but not fully tender. Drain in a colander, then shake to remove excess water. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and toss; set near the stove.

Step 2

As the noodles soak, in a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, molasses, fish sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon white pepper. Measure 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a medium bowl, stir in the cornstarch, then stir in the beef.

Step 3

In a 12- to 14-inch wok over high or a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the beef in an even layer and cook, stirring only once or twice, until well browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Step 4

In the now-empty pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until shimmering. Add the Broccolini and cook, stirring, until spottily charred, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the noodles and toss. Pour the soy sauce mixture down the sides of the pan, around the circumference; it should bubble immediately. Cook, tossing and moving the noodles in a circular motion against the sides of the pan, until the liquid is absorbed and the noodles are just shy of tender, about 2 minutes.

Step 5

Add the scallions and cook, tossing, until beginning to wilt, about 1 minute. Add the beef and accumulated juices; cook, tossing, until the noodles are tender, about 2 minutes. Taste the noodles; if they are still too firm, drizzle in water 2 tablespoons at a time and cook, stirring, until tender. Stir in the vinegar, then taste and season with additional soy sauce and white pepper.