Authentic Thai Beef Noodle Soup Recipe with Rice Noodles

Added by kocky, October 12, 2024
soups → beef-soup
Thai cuisine

Thai beef noodle soup is a classic street food dish from Thailand, known for its rich broth made from beef bones, fragrant spices like star anise, and tender slices of beef served with fresh rice noodles.

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Recipe:

Ingrediens

• 2 lb beef bones
• 3 Habanero pepper
• 3 quarts water
• 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
• 4 slices of galangal
• 1 large onion, halved
• 6 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 cilantro roots
• 5 whole star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp palm sugar
• 5-6 kaffir lime leaves (optional)
• 350 g thin rice noodles (soaked in cold water for 15-20 minutes)
• 400 g thinly sliced beef (sirloin or chuck roast)
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fried garlic
• Fresh lime wedges
• Sliced chili (optional for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare the Broth: Rinse the beef bones under cold water, then place them in a large stockpot with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and skim off any foam. Add lemongrass, galangal, onion, garlic, cilantro roots, star anise, cinnamon, and peppercorns. Simmer gently for 3 hours to develop a rich, flavorful broth.
2. Season the Broth: After 3 hours, strain the broth to remove solids. Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or sugar to balance the flavors.
3. Prepare the Noodles: While the broth simmers, soak the rice noodles in cold water for 20 minutes, then blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain and set aside.
4. Cook the Beef: Slice the beef thinly against the grain. Add the slices directly to the hot broth for 1-2 minutes, just before serving. The residual heat will cook the beef perfectly.
5. Assemble the Soup: Divide the blanched noodles among serving bowls. Top with the thinly sliced beef, fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, and green onions. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles, ensuring each bowl has a good amount of beef.
6. Garnish and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of fried garlic, a squeeze of lime, and optional chili slices for extra heat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Tips and Tricks

1. Homemade Broth: Always go for homemade broth from beef bones to capture the authentic depth of flavor. Thinly Sliced Beef: Slice the beef as thin as possible to allow it to cook quickly and remain tender in the hot broth. Adjust to Taste: Thai soups often have a balance of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. Don’t hesitate to adjust with more fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, or chili to fit your personal taste.
2. Noodle Prep: To prevent soggy noodles, only blanch them just before serving.

Historical & Cultural Overview

Thai beef noodle soup, or Guay Tiew Nuea, is a staple of Thai street food culture, found everywhere from Bangkok to rural markets. It reflects the country's history of flavorful, aromatic broths and the integration of Chinese noodle dishes into Thai cuisine. The slow-simmered broth and balance of spices like star anise, soy sauce, and fish sauce offer a perfect snapshot of Thai culinary traditions.

Reviews & Rating

David Clark :

February 21, 2025

Absolutely loved this soup! With habanero top.