Fragrant Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

1. Prepare the Spice Sachet

Gather the whole cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and white peppercorns in a piece of cheesecloth. Tie it tightly to form a sachet that will infuse the broth with a rich, fragrant aroma.

2. Make the Broth

Start by rinsing the beef chunks under cold water, then place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, which will cause impurities to rise to the surface as foam. Drain the beef immediately and rinse it under cold water again. This step ensures a clear broth.

3. Make the Aromatic Base

After washing and drying the pot, set it over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil. Toss in the smashed garlic, white parts of the scallions, onion wedges, and ginger and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are lightly blistered and golden. This creates an aromatic base for your soup.

4. Add More Flavors

Add the tomato wedges, dried red chilies, tomato paste, and spicy bean sauce to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Return the beef to the pot and sprinkle in the sugar.

5. Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in the Shaoxing wine to deglaze the pot, stirring to lift any browned bits from the bottom. Add the light and dark soy sauces, green parts of the scallions, water, and the spice sachet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 90 minutes until the beef is tender but not falling apart.

6. Cook the Noodles and Serve

In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and cook the fresh or dried white wheat noodles according to the package directions. During the last minute of cooking, blanch the leafy greens until they are just tender and vibrant. To serve, place a portion of noodles and greens into each bowl. Ladle the hot, fragrant beef broth over the noodles, making sure to include chunks of tender beef. Top each serving with chopped pickled mustard greens, fresh cilantro, and chopped scallion for a burst of flavor and freshness.