Hủ Tiếu Xào (Vietnamese Stir Fried Flat Noodles with Beef)

Hủ tiếu xào, or Vietnamese Stir Fried Flat Noodles, is a tasty Vietnamese dish that resembles beef chow fun. This simple but flavorful meal is the perfect blend of stir-fried flat noodles, tender beef and vegetables in a sweet and savory black sauce.

Best of all – it can be made in minutes using leftover ingredients from the fridge, or you can customize it with whatever extra items you like! Whether for an easy weeknight dinner or something more elaborate for special occasions, hu tieu xao is sure to please every time.

What is Hu Tieu Xao?

“Hủ tiếu” (pronounced “who teeyoo”) is a type of flat noodle from Southern Vietnam (Saigon). “Xao” means fried, so “hu tieu xao” means stir-fried flat noodles.

Hu Tieu noodles are made from rice flour and tapioca starch, giving it a unique chewy texture that sets it apart from other types of noodles. It can be served in a soup or dry.

This dish goes by many different names hu tieu xao bo, hu tieu ap chao, or pho ap chao. It is similar to Thailand’s pad see ew noodles or pad thai noodles, Malaysia’s char kuey teow noodles, or China’s chow fun noodles. Whatever name you use, it’s a delicious dish that you must try!

Hu Tieu Noodles

So you’re probably thinking, where can I find hu tieu noodles? Any type of wide flat rice noodles will work for this recipe. I’ve included many different varieties that you can easily find in the international aisle at your local grocery store or at your local Asian supermarket.

• Fresh rice noodles: This comes in a large sheet or is already pre-cut. It can be found in the refrigerated section at the Asian grocery store.
• Dried rice noodles: get extra large (10mm) pho rice noodles or wide hu tieu rice noodles. If you can’t find this, any large wide rice noodles will do, like Thai rice noodles. Alternatively, you can also use tapioca noodles if you prefer the chewy texture.

I prefer refrigerated or fresh noodles since you can skip having to boil them first but for this recipe, I used dried noodles because that’s what I could find at the store.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make this dish, you will need these ingredients. Feel free to substitute the vegetables or protein.

For the marinade:

• Beef: I usually use flank or skirt steak for this recipe. Thinly slice the beef against the grain at a 10° angle to help it be more tender.
• Baking soda: this helps tenderize the meat. Let the beef marinate with this for at least 15 minutes.
• Soy sauce (dark and light): Dark soy sauce helps give it its rich dark brown color, while light soy sauce gives it additional flavoring. If you don’t have dark soy sauce, try a dark soy sauce substitute.
• Oyster sauce: This sweet and savory sauce is very popular in many stir-fry dishes. You can also use an oyster sauce substitute, such as mushroom oyster sauce.
• Granulated sugar: This helps balance out the saltiness.
• Garlic powder: Used as an aromatic. You can also substitute it for freshly chopped garlic and add it right in with the marinade.

For the rest of the dish:

• Rice noodles: use fresh or dried noodles.
• Cooking oil: use any high heat cooking oil such as avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.
• Onions and bean sprouts: vegetables for added flavor and texture.
• Chinese broccoli (gai lan): traditionally, hu tieu xao doesn’t have this but I like making it a true one-pot meal so I like adding extra veggies. If you can’t find this, try substituting it for another veggie such as broccoli, bok choy, carrots, snow peas, eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, baby corn, bamboo shoots, or bell peppers.

Please scroll ⬇️ to the recipe card to see the full ingredient amounts and instructions.

How to make it

Garnish with chopped scallions and serve. Add sriracha sauce, if desired, for some heat.

Helpful Tips

• Gather and prep all the ingredients before starting. It’ll help make the cooking process faster.
• Thinly slice the beef against the grain at a slight 10° angle. Cutting it this way will ensure that the beef is tender.
• Use baking soda to tenderize the meat.
• Let the beef marinate in the sauce for at least 15 minutes to soak up the flavor. If you’re going to leave it for longer, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate it.

FAQ

How to store and reheat leftovers

Store: To store hu tieu xao, it is best to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help preserve its flavor and texture. It should also be consumed within three days of cooking for optimal freshness and quality. To make sure stays as fresh as possible, avoid storing it in direct sunlight or near any heat sources.

Freeze: If you will not be consuming all of it within three days, you can freeze it for up to six months. To do so, place the stir-fried noodles in an airtight container or freezer bag and label it with the date before freezing. When you are ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.

Reheat: Reheating can be done in a few different ways. In the microwave, set the power to medium-high and heat it for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Make sure to cover the container or plate containing the noodles with a damp paper towel to prevent splattering. Alternatively, cook it in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring as necessary.

RECIPE