How beef satay noodles, comfort food with Southeast Asian roots, became a Hong Kong fave

The popular Hong Kong breakfast dish has influences from Indonesia to China. We trace its journey, and a food YouTuber shares their recipe

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Satay beef noodles served at a cafe in Pok Fu Lam. A popular breakfast dish in Hong Kong that combines Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines, it was introduced to the city in the 1950s by migrants from Chaozhou, southern China. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 1:15pm, 14 Sep 2024Updated: 10:31am, 24 Sep 2024

Take a bite out of history with our exclusive series on the delicious ingredients, dishes and techniques behind the unique taste of Hong Kong.

With a rich umami broth, springy instant ramen noodles and tender marinated meat slices, beef satay noodles represent comfort in a bowl for many Hongkongers.

The dish can be found mostly on the breakfast menus of cha chaan teng, Hong Kong-style cafes or diners, but can be eaten at any time of the day. It is usually paired with toast, eggs, and a drink on the side.

The origin of Hong Kong’s beef satay noodles is in Southeast Asian cuisine. According to the book Made in Hong Kong by Hong Kong food writer Michael Lui Ka-chun, the dish can be traced to the meat satay dishes, also called sate, of Malaysia and Indonesia, and their creamy and slightly sweet, peanut-based dipping sauce.

Beef satay skewers. Hong Kong beef satay noodles can be traced to sate dishes of Southeast Asia. Photo: Shutterstock

Lui describes how the sauce is packed with common Southeast Asian ingredients and spices, including peanuts, coconut milk, fennel, galangal, lemongrass, coconut sugar, and tamarind.

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