Satay Beef Noodles

Satay Beef Noodles are the backbone of all of the diners in Hong Kong, also known as Chaa Tsang Teng. It is a staple breakfast item on the menu, and it is beloved by many.

Instant noodles for breakfast?

Fun fact, I was so accustomed to this that I didn’t realize how ridiculous it was until I had to explain Hong Kong breakfast culture to a French person. I still remember her eyes widening as if blasphemy came out of my mouth. But now that I have given it some thought, I couldn’t imagine anything else that shows the Hong Kong spirit more than instant noodles for breakfast.

Hong Kong people have always been known for their efficiency and their no B.S. attitude. Along with the working culture, everything has to be fast and efficient here. So, what can be made in an instant and can fuel you up for the morning? Instant noodles of course!

Which instant noodle should I use for Satay Beef Noodles?

For the most authentic taste, there are 2 main brands to choose from: Doll noodles and Nissin noodles. There used to be a local noodle supplier called 大光麵, which supplied noodles for a majority of diners, but they went bankrupt and shut down a couple of years ago.

You can easily find Nissin noodles, as it is a very big brand. For this recipe, any flavour would do as we won’t be using the soup pack included. I recommend cooking the noodles for 1 minute less than the package recommendation for a more toothsome mouthfeel.

Are There Substitutions For Instant Noodles?

If, for health reasons, you wouldn’t want to make this with instant noodles, I can completely understand. Instant noodles are full of unhealthy fats and excess sodium. For a better alternative, macaroni is another popular choice; you could even put the beef on toast and eat it if you’d like.

What Cut Of Beef To Use for Satay Beef Noodles?

The beef in this recipe needs to be cooked quickly, so it would benefit from a tender cut. Although you can velvet your beef with baking soda to make it more tender beforehand. Rump pieces are the most commonly used in Hong Kong, but feel free to use tender cuts such as tenderloins, striploins, ribeyes and others for a better mouthfeel, but make sure to leave out the baking soda.

What Is Satay Sauce?

Satay is a South East Asian condiment that is made from peanuts, coconut milk, lemongrass, galangal and other Southeast Asian ingredients. Nowadays, it is common to use pre-made Satay paste to make a Satay Sauce.

The ingredients for this Satay Sauce include:

• Satay Paste
• Peanut butter
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Kaffir lime leaves

You are more than encouraged to add ingredients to your Satay sauce to make it yours!