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Hand-Pulled Noodles

Chewy, tender noodles in a fragrant broth with tender beef and aromatic spices. A trending viral dish inspired by traditional Lanzhou noodles.

60 minHardServes 4480 cal/serving

ChineseLunchStovetopStandard

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lb beef brisket, chunked
  • 2 star anise
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 6 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1/2 yellow onion, quartered
  • 8 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, mix 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup water to form a rough dough. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Coat with 4 tbsp vegetable oil, cover, and let rest for 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Meanwhile, blanch the 1 lb chunked beef brisket in boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain and rinse.

  3. 3

    Heat oil in a large pot. Briefly toast the 2 star anise and 1/2 cinnamon stick until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Add the blanched brisket, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 tbsp sliced fresh ginger, and 1/2 quartered yellow onion. Pour in 8 cups beef or chicken broth and 1/4 cup soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the brisket is tender.

  5. 5

    Divide the dough into 4 portions. To hand-pull noodles: stretch each portion into a long strand by pulling gently from both ends, then fold in half and repeat until noodles are thin and chewy (or cook as rolled pasta if preferred).

  6. 6

    Boil a separate pot of water. Cook the noodles for 2-3 minutes until tender, then divide among bowls.

  7. 7

    Ladle the hot broth and brisket over the noodles. Garnish with 2 chopped scallions and 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot.

Questions

Can I make Hand-Pulled Noodles gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup soy sauce. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works); the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Hand-Pulled Noodles keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Hand-Pulled Noodles?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

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