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Classic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Beef and Tomato Macaroni

Name: Classic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Beef and Tomato Macaroni
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: cantonese
Ingredients: fresh beef; Salt; chicken powder; soy sauce; baking soda; cornstarch; water; chicken broth; tomato paste; spaghetti sauce; ketchup; sugar; cherry tomatoes; Macaroni; Egg; Cooking oil; crushed black pepper

groups2 servingsspeedEasycountertopsPrep: 60 minsskilletCook: 20 minsscheduleTotal: 80 minsoutdoor_grillBoiled

Allergens:warningGlutenwarningEggswarningSoy

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

7 Steps Total

schedulePrepare in advance

circleBeef needs to be marinated with seasonings and water for 1 hour in advance1h

Preparation

00:02:53

Place 300g sliced beef into a bowl, add 3g salt, 3g chicken powder, 3g light soy sauce, 1.5g baking soda, and 3g cornstarch. Gradually pour in about 150ml water, continuously massaging the beef by hand to allow the muscle fibers to expand and absorb moisture. Once fully absorbed with only a tiny splash of liquid left, spread flat and set aside to marinate for 1 hour.

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Watch out

The amount of baking soda must be accurate (1.5g), as too much will impart an alkaline taste

water must be added gradually in small batches while massaging, otherwise the beef will fail to absorb the liquid evenly

Ingredients:fresh beef (300 g)Salt (3 g)chicken powder (3 g)soy sauce (3 g)baking soda (1.5 g)cornstarch (3 g)water (150 ml)

Tools:mixing bowl

Active Cooking

00:04:04

Pour 1000g chicken broth into a soup pot, add 50g tomato paste, 150g spaghetti sauce, and 150g ketchup. Whisk thoroughly with a wire whisk until completely blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat, add 15g sugar to adjust sweetness, and continue simmer until the soup thickens and lightly coats the back of a spoon, then turn off heat.

local_fire_departmentBring to boil over medium heat, then simmer on low for about 5 minutes

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Watch out

Tomato paste is thick

it must be whisked thoroughly into the broth, otherwise it will settle to the bottom and burn during cooking

Ingredients:chicken broth (1000 g)tomato paste (50 g)spaghetti sauce (150 g)ketchup (150 g)sugar (15 g)

Tools:saucepanwhisk

Active Cooking

00:05:18

Bring a separate pot of water to a boil and add 300g macaroni. Cook over medium heat for about 8 to 9 minutes until al dente; do not overcook into a mushy texture.

local_fire_departmentMedium-high heat, about 8 to 9 minutes

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Watch out

Overcooking macaroni makes it soggy

stop cooking as soon as the center is no longer hard and retains a nice chewy texture

Ingredients:Macaroni (300 g)

Tools:pot

Active Cooking

00:05:38

Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat, then crack in 1 egg. Fry until the egg white edges become crisp and browned while the yolk remains runny, then remove and set aside.

local_fire_departmentMedium heat, about 1 to 2 minutes

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Watch out

The pan and oil must be sufficiently hot before adding the egg to achieve crisp edges

be careful of oil splatters

Ingredients:Egg (1 piece)Cooking oil (1 tbsp)

Tools:spatulaFrying pan

Active Cooking

00:05:49

Using the same pan, add 1 tbsp cooking oil over high heat. Add the marinated 300g beef and stir-fry rapidly to separate the slices. Cook just until the beef changes color and is cooked through (about 30 seconds to 1 minute), then transfer immediately to a plate.

local_fire_departmentHigh heat, stir-fry fast for 30 seconds to 1 minute

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Watch out

Do not overcook the beef

stir-fry quickly over high heat and remove as soon as cooked, otherwise the meat will turn tough

Ingredients:Cooking oil (1 tbsp)

Tools:Frying pan

Active Cooking

00:06:01

Use a strainer to scoop out the cooked macaroni, drain completely, and pour into the hot tomato soup base. Add 200g cherry tomatoes and stir well so the macaroni coats with sauce.

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Watch out

The macaroni must be thoroughly drained, otherwise residual water will dilute the tomato broth and ruin its rich texture.

Ingredients:cherry tomatoes (200 g)

Tools:strainer

Active Cooking

00:06:08

Ladle the macaroni and tomato soup into a wide deep plate, top with the stir-fried beef, and overlay with the fried sunny-side-up egg. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and black pepper over the egg to finish, and serve piping hot.

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Watch out

The runny egg yolk breaks easily

transfer it gently onto the beef using a spatula

Ingredients:crushed black pepper (1 g)

Tools:soup ladleserving plate