Bo Kho Vietnamese Beef Stew with Noodles

Name: Bo Kho Vietnamese Beef Stew with Noodles
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 140 min
Total time: 180 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2.5 lb beef chuck or brisket; 8 large carrots; 1 onion; 3 lemongrass stalks; 2 clove garlic; 3 tbsp ginger, minced; 5 tbsp fish sauce; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 4 tbsp tomato paste; 8 cup water; 2 cup coconut water; 3 tbsp oil (optional, for pork); 2 star anise; 2.5 tsp five-spice powder; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tsp ground annatto; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1.5 tsp brown sugar; 1 tsp salt; 3 tbsp chili oil; 450 g wide rice noodles or egg noodles; 0.25 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 0.5 cup Thai basil leaves; 0.5 cup thinly sliced raw onion; 1 plate lime wedges

Bo Kho is a rich, fragrant Vietnamese beef stew with tender chunks of beef, carrots, lemongrass, and warming spices in a deeply savory broth. Served over noodles and topped with fresh herbs, it is hearty enough for dinner yet special enough for sharing with guests.

Servings8 Portions

Prep Time40 Mins

Cook Time140 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

beef chuck or brisket
2.5 lb
large carrots
8
onion
1
lemongrass stalks
3
garlic
2 clove
ginger, minced
3 tbsp
fish sauce
5 tbsp
soy sauce
3 tbsp
tomato paste
4 tbsp
water
8 cup
coconut water
2 cup
oil (optional, for pork)
3 tbsp
star anise
2
five-spice powder
2.5 tsp
paprika
1 tbsp
ground annatto
1 tsp
chili powder
1 tsp
ground black pepper
1 tsp
brown sugar
1.5 tsp
salt
1 tsp
chili oil
3 tbsp
wide rice noodles or egg noodles
450 g
coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
0.3 cup
Thai basil leaves
0.5 cup
thinly sliced raw onion
0.5 cup
lime wedges
1 plate

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place the beef in a large bowl and toss with the garlic, ginger, fish sauce, five-spice powder, and brown sugar until evenly coated. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over high heat. Add 2 bruised lemongrass stalks and cook for 1 minute to perfume the oil, then stir in the remaining minced lemongrass.

Add the onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the marinated beef and sear, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, then mix in the tomato paste.

Cook the tomato paste with the beef for 5 minutes, stirring often, to deepen the flavor. Pour in the water and coconut water, then add the star anise, black pepper, chili powder, ground annatto, and paprika.