Taiwanese Beef Rolls

Taiwanese cuisine is known for its vibrant, bold flavors, and one of the standout street foods you must try is the Taiwanese Beef Roll. These rolls are a delicious combination of tender braised beef and crisp scallion pancakes, all wrapped up with fresh vegetables and a sweet hoisin sauce. If you’re ready to take your taste buds on a journey, here’s how to make these delightful rolls at home.

Ingredients:

For the Braised Beef Shank:

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless beef shank
• 2 slices ginger
• 4 cups water (plus more for pre-boiling the beef)
• 10 g rock sugar (or substitute with 2 teaspoons granulated sugar)
• 1 small cassia cinnamon stick
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 1 star anise pod
• 1 small piece dried tangerine peel
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon white or black peppercorns
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 scallions, cut into large pieces
• 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

For Assembly:

• 6 scallion pancakes (store-bought or homemade)
• Neutral oil, for cooking
• 1 medium cucumber, julienned
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Directions:

1. Prepare the Beef:
   • Slice the beef shank into 4 to 5-inch pieces. Place in a pot with ginger slices and cover with water. Bring to a boil for 30 seconds, then drain and rinse the beef. Clean the pot and discard the ginger.
2. Braise the Beef:
   • Return the cleaned beef to the pot. Add rock sugar, cinnamon, bay leaf, star anise, tangerine peel, cloves, peppercorns, garlic, and scallions. Pour in the Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, and dark soy sauce.
   • Cover with 4 cups of water, adding more if necessary to cover the beef. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 1 hour or until the beef is fork-tender but firm. Let the beef cool at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Assemble the Rolls:
   • Heat oil in a pan and cook each scallion pancake until crisp on both sides.
   • Thinly slice the chilled beef. Lay out a pancake and spread a thin layer of hoisin sauce over it. Add chopped scallions, cilantro, beef slices, and top with julienned cucumber.
   • Roll the pancake tightly and slice in half. Repeat with the remaining pancakes.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: Approx. 360 kcal per serving
• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
• Servings: 6 servings

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

These Taiwanese Beef Rolls offer a delightful mix of textures and flavors. The crispness of the scallion pancakes contrasts beautifully with the tender, spiced beef, while the fresh cucumber and herbs add a burst of freshness. Each bite combines sweet, savory, and herbal notes, making it a perfect dish for any occasion, whether it’s a family meal or a special gathering.