I've been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to eat my way around the world in recent years, but that's not how it's always been. I grew up in a small agricultural community in Northern California and we rarely ate out. This was mainly due to the fact that my mom firmly believed in the healthfulness of wholesome home-cooked meals, a belief that I hold to this day.
Still, there were the occasional splurges where we'd order a pizza or take-out "Chinese" food. I always looked forward to these evenings, not because my mom's food was bad, but because they seemed like windows into distant cultures that I didn't have at home. As it turned out, they were windows into other food cultures, just not the ones I thought I was peering into.
My two favorite dishes from our local greasy wok were Mongolian Beef and Singapore Noodles. Not only did the names sound tantalizingly foreign to my 8 year old ears, they were delightfully different from anything my mother would make at home.
After leaving home and discovering a world of culinary wonders beyond the tight confines of my hometown, I was shocked to learn that neither dish comes from the countries they are named after. I was so embarrassed that I buried those childhood favorites, and for a time became one of those food snobs that obsesses over authenticity.
Needless to say, I've come full circle, and while dishes like Mongolian Beef or Hunan Chicken may not be traditional, they've become an authentic part of the Chinese-American culinary heritage. I'm sure there are at least a few of you shaking your head in disapproval over my last sentence, but may I remind you that if it weren't for culinary amalgamations, we wouldn't have dishes like ramen, the hamburger, and cronuts. If however you're of Mongolian descent, I apologize on behalf of the Western world for misappropriating the name of your country for this dish. Having seen my share of food named "Japanese _"; I feel your pain.
For my version of Mongolian Beef, I like to marinate the meat in a mixture of Chinese rice wine and oyster sauce. This builds a savory base, onto which the hoisin sauce can contribute its distinctive sweet earthy flavor. To spice things up, I add a bit of doubanjiang, a Sichuan chili bean paste which not only brings the heat, it also adds umami to the dish. Stir-fried with pungent garlic, spicy chili peppers and sweet scallions and you have a dish with a unique flavor that stands out amongst the long list of Chinese-American classics.
📖 Recipe
Units
Ingredients
- 225 grams beef (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
- ¼ teaspoon potato starch
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon doubanjiang
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 3 Tien Tsin peppers (or other spicy dried chili pepper)
- 11 grams garlic (2 large cloves minced)
- 75 grams scallions (2-3 sliced diagonally)
Instructions
- Put the beef in a bowl along with the 1 teaspoon of shaoxing, the oyster sauce and potato starch. Stir to evenly coat the beef and let it marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- In a small bowl, add the hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon of shaoxing, and doubanjiang, stir to combine.
- Heat a wok or frying pan until hot. Add the oil chili peppers and garlic and fry until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the beef and stir-fry until the beef is barely cooked through.
- Add the scallions and sauce and continue to stir-fry until the sauce has caramelized and coats the beef evenly (a few more seconds). Serve your Mongolian Beef over fried cellophane noodles or rice.
Phil Johnson says
Hi Marc,
Having now ordered by bottle of Youki Doubanjiang I just need some advice n the steak to use.
Do you think rump (what Americans call sirloin) or chuck would be OK or do I need something more tender?
Whilst posting, I would draw readers attention to your recipe for Butter Chicken which is at least on a par with any I've eaten in top rated Indian restaurants and leaves for dead the offerings from curry houses.
https://norecipes.com/butter-chicken-recipe/
I've now cooked it many times and it is truly wonderful.
My favourite accompaniment is the egg pulao (recipe/instructions shown below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvgGqHVtW2s
Please feel free though to delete the link if I shouldn't have posted it here.
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Phil, due to the application of high heat, I think more muscular cuts like rump and chuck would get tough. You could add some kiwi or ginger to the marinade as they both have enzymes that tenderize, but you'd need to marinate the beef longer. I'm so glad to hear you've been enjoying my butter chicken. It's one of my favorites as well. That egg pulao looks delcious. I might have to do a take on that someday😉
Phil Johnson says
Hi again Marc,
Many thanks for the reply it was much appreciated.
Do you think what Americans call striploin (we Brits call it sirloin) would be OK, or would you suggest something else?
Best regards,
Phil
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Phil, that could work, but it's really going to depend on the beef you're using. If it were wagyu from Japan I'd say it would definitely work, but a stripling from a grass fed cow would likely end up being tough. Why don't you give it a shot and see how you like it?
Marc Matsumoto says
It adds spiciness and umami, you could use another chili paste for the heat, but you'll miss out on the umami.
tantowi says
What's the best substitution for that ? Or can I just skip this in this recipe ? Thanks
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Tantowi, doubanjiang is a Sichuan chili paste made from fermented broad beans and chili peppers. It's spicy, salty and earthy and can be found in any Chinese or Asian grocery store.
tantowi says
What is doubanjiang anyway ? Can you explain me ?? Thanks
Marc Matsumoto says
Hahaha, very observant:-)
Dan says
I guess you're in Japan at the moment -- I've rarely seen beef like that in the west. 😉
yepi 4 says
I think it will be a dish tastes fragrant, sweet, and spicy. will be interesting to eat it. I hope it can be processed.
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Julia, I can't read Chinese so I'm not sure what the brand is, but it comes in a glass bottle with red label and black lettering. I know this describes almost all doubanjiang, but this one is very chunky with a little oil floating on top. As for subbing cornstarch for potato starch, it's not a 1:1 substitution. Personally I don't like the texture of cornstarch thickened foods (it tends to get more gloppy than when using potato starch), which is why I never use cornstarch anymore.
Julia says
Thanks for this fantastic recipe, can't wait to try! Can you recommend a brand of doubanjiang? And could I substitute corn starch for the potato?
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Tony, without knowing where you live, I can't really give you any specific suggestions, but it's usually carried in Chinese or Asian grocery stores. You may also be able to find it in larger liquor shops. As for substitutes, you could use a dry sherry as a substitute.
tferdaise says
So where does one get Shaoxing wine, if Shaoxing wine can't be found what can be used in it's place?
Marc Matsumoto says
Hi Drakenrahl, the beef was just labeled "scraps" so it's unclear what cut it is, but judging by the shape and general marbling I'd say it was probably flatiron steak.
Drakenrahl says
Okay, I have to ask. What cut of beef are you using there? Look at the marbling on that. It's more white than red.
Tricia Lye says
I am Singaporean and always wondered why I never ate 'Singapore noodles' back home. But whatever the food is called, they were part of our adventures and hold a speical place in our hearts.