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Photograph of the finished Lanzhou beef noodle soup

China · Mì bò Lan Châu

Lanzhou beef noodle soup

3 hr Hands-on time
HardDifficulty
6 stepsSteps

Method

  1. 1 Blanch beef bones and beef shank in boiling water for 5 minutes, then rinse off the foam.
  2. 2 Simmer the bones with ginger, cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, and bay leaves for 2 hours, skimming off the foam frequently.
  3. 3 Remove the beef shank from the pot after 90 minutes, let it cool, then slice it thinly.
  4. 4 Add the sliced white radish to the pot and cook for another 20 minutes, seasoning with salt to make the broth clear and sweet.
  5. 5 Make chili oil by pouring hot oil over chili powder, then boil fresh noodles for 3 minutes.
  6. 6 Arrange the noodles in a bowl, pour in the broth, add the beef and radish, sprinkle with chopped scallions and cilantro, and a spoonful of chili oil.

With an appliance

  • Pressure cooker 1 hr 20 min

    Replace step 2: cook the bones and beef shank under high pressure for 45 minutes, then let it rest naturally for 15 minutes; this reduces the cooking time by over an hour, resulting in a richer broth and tender meat without the need to skim off the foam. The radishes in step 4 should still be cooked with the lid open for 12 minutes.