Vietnamese Stir-Fry Beef Pasta (Nui Xào Bò): Easy Recipe

Updated at: 17/01/2025

Craving a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal? Look no further than Nui Xào Bò, a delightful Vietnamese stir-fry featuring tender beef and perfectly cooked pasta. This dish is a staple in Vietnamese cuisine, beloved for its vibrant blend of savory, sweet, and umami notes. Imagine succulent strips of beef tossed with springy noodles in a rich sauce, infused with the aromatic fragrance of garlic, shallots, and fish sauce. The subtle sweetness of carrots and the freshness of green onions add layers of complexity to this irresistible dish. It's a perfect weeknight dinner that's surprisingly easy to make, even for novice cooks.

This recipe simplifies the traditional Nui Xào Bò, making it accessible to everyone. We'll break down the process into easy-to-follow steps, guiding you through each stage from preparing the ingredients to achieving that perfect balance of flavors. Ready to embark on a culinary journey to Vietnam? Let's get started with our step-by-step guide!

Tools Needed

  • Pan
  • Bowl
  • Knife
  • Colander
  • Pot

Ingredients

  • Macaroni (or any pasta): 1/2 lb
  • Ribeye beef (or strip/fillet): 1/2 lb
  • Red bell pepper
  • Green onions
  • Garlic
  • White onion
  • Choy sum (Chinese broccoli)
  • Cilantro
  • Chili pepper
  • Black pepper: 1 tsp
  • Sugar: 1 tsp + 1/2 tbsp
  • Corn starch: 1/2 tbsp + 1 tbsp
  • Cooking oil: 1 tsp + amount for stir-frying
  • Oyster sauce: 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp
  • Light soy sauce: 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp
  • Dark soy sauce: 1 tsp + 1 tbsp
  • Butter: 1 tbsp
  • Tomato paste: 1 tbsp
  • Chicken bouillon: 1 tsp
  • Sriracha: 1 tbsp (optional)
  • Salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare Ingredients & Marinate Beef

  • Smash and mince garlic. Cut white onion in half, peel, and slice thinly. Cut bell peppers lengthwise into strips. Cut green onions into 2-3 inch chunks.
  • Cut beef into thick slices, then cubes (or thin slices). Marinate with minced garlic, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, cooking oil, corn starch, sugar, and black pepper for 30 minutes.
Prepare vegetables: Smash and mince garlic. Cut white onion in half, peel, and slice thinly. Cut bell peppers lengthwise into strips. Cut green onions into 2-3 inch chunks.Cut beef into thick slices, then cubes (or thin slices). Marinate with minced garlic, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, cooking oil, corn starch, sugar, and black pepper for 30 minutes.
Prepare Ingredients & Marinate Beef

Step 2. Cook Pasta and Prepare Sauce

  • Bring salted, oiled water to a boil. Add macaroni, stir, and cook until slightly al dente (1-2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Combine oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, chicken bouillon, tomato paste, and sriracha (optional).
Boil macaroni: Bring salted, oiled water to a boil. Add macaroni, stir, and cook until slightly al dente (1-2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and rinse with cold water.Make stir-fry sauce: Combine oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, chicken bouillon, tomato paste, and sriracha (optional).
Cook Pasta and Prepare Sauce

Step 3. Stir-fry Beef, Vegetables, and Pasta

  • Heat oil, add half the remaining minced garlic. Add macaroni, sauté for a couple of minutes. Add 2 tbsp sauce, stir. Remove from pan.
  • Melt butter, add remaining garlic. Add marinated beef, cook for about a minute per side until charred. Add onions and bell peppers. Once onions are translucent, add choy sum and another tbsp of sauce. Stir well.
  • Add macaroni to the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir everything together for another minute. Sprinkle with black pepper. Turn off heat.
Stir-fry macaroni: Heat oil, add half the remaining minced garlic. Add macaroni, sauté for a couple of minutes. Add 2 tbsp sauce, stir. Remove from pan.Stir-fry beef and vegetables: Melt butter, add remaining garlic. Add marinated beef, cook for about a minute per side until charred. Add onions and bell peppers. Once onions are translucent, add choy sum and another tbsp of sauce. Stir well.Combine and finish: Add macaroni to the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir everything together for another minute. Sprinkle with black pepper. Turn off heat.
Stir-fry Beef, Vegetables, and Pasta

Step 4. Serve and Garnish

  • Transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with chili sauce for dipping (optional).
Serve: Transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with cilantro. Serve with chili sauce for dipping (optional).
Serve and Garnish

Read more: Crispy Tofu with Onions: A Delicious Vietnamese Beer Snack

Tips

  • You can substitute the ribeye beef with other tender cuts like strip or fillet.
  • Feel free to use any shape or kind of pasta you like.
  • The chili pepper in the sauce is optional. Adjust the amount to your preference.

Nutrition

  • Calories: approximately 600-700
  • Fat: 25-35g
  • Carbs: 50-60g
  • Protein: 40-50g

FAQs

1. Can I use different types of pasta for Nui Xào Bò?

Yes! While egg noodles are traditional, you can substitute with spaghetti, fettuccine, or even vermicelli rice noodles for a slightly different texture.

2. What can I do if I don't have fish sauce?

Soy sauce can be a substitute, but it won't give the same unique umami flavor. You can try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper savory note.

3. How can I make this dish spicier?

Add a sliced red chili pepper or a pinch of chili flakes to the stir-fry for extra heat. You can also use a spicier chili garlic sauce.


Enjoy your delicious and authentic Vietnamese Stir-Fry Beef Pasta! This recipe is a testament to how simple yet flavorful home-cooked meals can be. We hope you'll enjoy this quick and satisfying dish again and again.