30-Min Beef Chow Fun Recipe
Beef Chow Fun is a classic Cantonese stir-fried noodle dish with tender beef, silky rice noodles, and a light savory sauce.
Ingredients
For the beef
- 1 pound beef flank, thinly sliced against the grain
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of white pepper
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 4 tablespoons water
- Pinch of white pepper
For the noodles
- 1 package hor fun rice noodles
- 5 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3 stalks scallions, sliced
- 1 cup bean sprouts
Instructions
- To marinate the beef, in a bowl, mix the beef with the salt until fully absorbed, then add the white pepper, Shaoxing wine, egg white, cornstarch mixed with water, and cooking oil and mix well, then let marinate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
- To prepare the noodles, place the hor fun noodles on a plate and microwave for 2–3 minutes until softened, then gently separate into loose strands.
- To make the sauce, in a bowl, mix the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, and white pepper.
- To stir-fry the beef, in a wok over high heat, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and cook the beef for about 2–3 minutes until just browned, then remove.
- To stir-fry the onion, in the same wok over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and cook the onion for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove.
- To heat up the noodles, in the wok over high heat, add the remaining cooking oil and the noodles and gently toss until heated through.
- To combine everything, then return the beef and onion, add the sauce, and toss lightly to combine, then add the bean sprouts and scallions and toss briefly before serving.
Video
Notes
Let the salt absorb first: This helps the beef stay juicy and improves overall flavor.
Warm the noodles first: Slightly heating the noodles makes them easier to separate and less likely to break.
Handle noodles gently: Use chopsticks or tongs and toss lightly to keep them intact.
Cook in stages: Stir-frying separately prevents overcrowding and keeps everything from steaming.
Keep the heat high: High heat helps create that signature smoky flavor.
Add vegetables last: This keeps them crisp and fresh.
Protein swap: You can use chicken, shrimp, or tofu instead of beef.