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Soy-Braised Brisket with Noodles

This dish takes a classic 1kg brisket and transforms it into a deeply savoury, melt-in-the-mouth centrepiece with rich soy-based flavours. Known in Chinese cooking as a style of red-braised beef (Hong Shao Niu Rou), it combines brisket slowly braised in soy, spices, and aromatics, served over noodles with pak choi for a comforting yet elegant bowl.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1kg beef brisket
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2 spring onions, chopped into large pieces
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
  • 150ml dark soy sauce
  • 50ml light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 750ml beef stock (or water)
  • 1 fresh red chilli, sliced (optional)

To serve:

  • 400g fresh egg noodles (or dried, cooked per packet)
  • 2–3 heads pak choi (or other Asian greens)
  • Fresh coriander, to garnish
  • Extra sliced chilli
METHOD

  • Prepare the brisket
    Trim excess fat but leave some for flavour. Cut into large chunks.
  • Brown the meat
    Heat oil in a heavy casserole. Sear brisket on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
  • Build the base
    Add garlic, ginger, and spring onions. Fry briefly, then stir in star anise and cinnamon.
  • Deglaze
    Pour in Shaoxing wine and scrape up the browned bits.
  • Make the braising liquid
    Stir in dark soy, light soy, oyster sauce, hoisin, sugar, and stock. Bring to a simmer.
  • Braise the brisket
    Return beef to the pot. Cover and cook at 160°C for 3 hours (or gently simmer on the hob), until fork-tender.
  • Shred the beef
    Remove brisket, shred with forks, and return to the sauce.
  • Prepare noodles and greens
    Cook noodles as per instructions. Blanch pak choi for 1–2 minutes.
  • Assemble
    Pile noodles into bowls, top with pak choi and brisket. Spoon over sauce. Garnish with coriander and sliced chilli.

Multi-Cooker Option

  • Sear: Use the sauté function to brown the brisket and aromatics.
  • Pressure Cook: Add the braising liquid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Natural release.
  • Finish: Shred the beef, reduce the sauce if needed, and serve as above.

Sides

  • Pickled cucumbers – fresh acidity to balance the richness.
  • Steamed dumplings – a great partner to the noodles.
  • Sesame-dressed greens – spinach or kale with sesame oil and seeds.
  • Kimchi – for a spicy, tangy contrast.

Matches

  • Soy & ginger pair beautifully with beef, reinforcing the braise.
  • Chilli & garlic lift the depth with heat and aroma.
  • Star anise & cinnamon add warmth and complexity.
  • Coriander & lime (optional squeeze at the end) brighten the dish.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 3–4 hours

Hot Tips

  • Chill the brisket overnight before shredding – it makes the meat easier to handle and enhances the flavour. When you’re ready to serve, you simply reheat the brisket gently in its sauce and shred it into the noodles/greens.
  • Reduce the sauce until glossy for maximum impact.
  • Swap pak choi for tenderstem broccoli or spinach if you prefer.
  • Make extra – this freezes well and tastes even better the next day.