Picture this: a steaming bowl of noodle soup that combines the rich flavors of beef, the brightness of fresh herbs, and a hint of spiceāa culinary adventure that’s both comforting and exciting for the taste buds.
I love creating comfort food, and Guay Tiew Neua Sub is one of my favorites. This traditional Thai noodle dish combines ground beef and rice noodles simmered in savory beef broth.
I adore how the flavors of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce blend together, with garlic and white pepper adding the delightful kick that’s so distinctive to this dish. It’s a nutritious and satisfying meal, enhanced by the freshness of bean sprouts, green onions, and cilantro, and finished with a squeeze of lime.
Ingredients
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Ingredient Quantities
- 300g ground beef
- 200g rice noodles
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 50g bean sprouts
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Chili flakes (optional)
How to Make this
1. In a sizable pot, warm the vegetable oil on medium heat. Put in the minced garlic and cook until it releases its aroma, approximately 1 minute.
2. Add the ground beef to the pot and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked.
3. In a pot, bring the beef broth to a simmer. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Blend well to form a cohesive mixture.
4. Simmer the broth. Meanwhile, prepare the rice noodles. Cook them according to the instructions on the package. Drain. Keep them aside.
5. Introduce the simmering broth to the cooked rice noodles in the pot and give the combination a gentle stir to bring together the broth and the beef.
6. Add the bean sprouts to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until they are tender-crisp.
7. Switch off the burner and mix in the diced scallions.
8. Spoon the noodles, beef, broth into bowls of soup, ensuring an even distribution.
9. Each bowl is garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
10. Accompany with lime wedges and, if you wish, with a sprinkling of chili flakes. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Sizable pot
2. Wooden spoon
3. Measuring spoons
4. Cutting board
5. Knife
6. Strainer or colander
7. Bowls for serving
8. Ladle
FAQ
- Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?You can substitute ground pork or chicken for the mold if you like.
- What kind of rice noodles are best for this dish?Rice noodles, flat and of medium size, work well, but any kind of noodle will do in a pinch.
- Can I make this dish vegetarian?Certainly, substitute the ground beef with a plant protein and use broth made from vegetables instead of beef broth.
- How spicy is this dish?This dish is spiced only mildly with white pepper, but you can add chili flakes to the sauce for extra heat.
- Can I prepare the broth in advance?The beef broth can be prepared a day ahead and placed in the refrigerator.
- What is the best way to garnish this dish?Sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves and garnish with lime wedges. Finish with additional chili flakes, if desired.
Guay Tiew Neua Sub Recipe Substitutions and Variations
1. Ground beef: Use ground chicken or turkey in its place. You end up with a lighter option.
Soba noodles or vermicelli can replace rice noodles.
Broth from beef: Replace with chicken or vegetable broth for a distinct depth of flavor.
Tamari or coconut aminos make for great, gluten-free substitutes for soy sauce.
Oyster sauce: If you need something slightly sweet, using hoisin sauce instead of oyster sauce works well.
Pro Tips
1. Enhance the Flavor of the Beef Before adding the ground beef to the pot, season it lightly with a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper. This will enhance its flavor as it browns.
2. Aromatic Boost Consider adding a few slices of fresh ginger or a stalk of lemongrass to the pot along with the garlic for an extra aromatic depth. Remember to remove them before serving.
3. Noodle Handling After preparing the rice noodles according to the package instructions, rinse them with cold water to prevent sticking. This will make them easier to handle when combining with the broth.
4. Layer the Garnish Instead of adding all the cilantro at once, layer the cilantro into the soup during serving to ensure each bite has a hint of its fresh flavor.
5. Lime and Chili Balance Offer the lime wedges and chili flakes on the side so guests can control the acidity and spiciness to their preference. Adding a splash of lime juice just before eating brightens the dish and enhances the flavors.
Guay Tiew Neua Sub Recipe
My favorite Guay Tiew Neua Sub Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Sizable pot
2. Wooden spoon
3. Measuring spoons
4. Cutting board
5. Knife
6. Strainer or colander
7. Bowls for serving
8. Ladle
Ingredients:
- 300g ground beef
- 200g rice noodles
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 50g bean sprouts
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Chili flakes (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a sizable pot, warm the vegetable oil on medium heat. Put in the minced garlic and cook until it releases its aroma, approximately 1 minute.
2. Add the ground beef to the pot and brown it, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully cooked.
3. In a pot, bring the beef broth to a simmer. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Blend well to form a cohesive mixture.
4. Simmer the broth. Meanwhile, prepare the rice noodles. Cook them according to the instructions on the package. Drain. Keep them aside.
5. Introduce the simmering broth to the cooked rice noodles in the pot and give the combination a gentle stir to bring together the broth and the beef.
6. Add the bean sprouts to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until they are tender-crisp.
7. Switch off the burner and mix in the diced scallions.
8. Spoon the noodles, beef, broth into bowls of soup, ensuring an even distribution.
9. Each bowl is garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
10. Accompany with lime wedges and, if you wish, with a sprinkling of chili flakes. Enjoy!