Sapasui (Samoan Glass Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)
In short: Glass noodles tossed with beef, carrots, cabbage, ginger and garlic in a savory soy broth, a Samoan party-pot favorite. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Sapasui is the noodle dish that turns up whenever Samoan families cook for a crowd. Glass noodles soak up a savory broth of soy sauce, ginger and garlic, with strips of beef and a handful of vegetables. It is cooked in one big pot, served hot and eaten alongside heavier umu foods or on its own. Some cooks make it with canned corned beef, called pisupo, in place of fresh beef.
Instructions
- Soak the noodles in very hot water for 10 minutes until pliable, then drain and cut them into 15 cm (6 in) lengths with scissors. Toss the sliced beef with 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and the pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large wide pot or wok over high heat. Brown the beef in 2 batches for about 2 minutes each, then set it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Cook the onion, garlic and ginger for 2 minutes, then add the carrots and celery and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Return the beef to the pot. Add the stock, the remaining soy sauce and the sugar and bring to a simmer.
- Add the noodles and cabbage and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing often, until the noodles turn translucent and have absorbed most of the liquid. The beef should reach at least 63°C (145°F).
- Stir in the spring onions, taste for seasoning and serve hot.
Tips
- Noodles keep absorbing liquid as they stand, so serve right away. When reheating leftovers, add a splash of stock or water.
- To use canned corned beef (pisupo), skip the browning. Stir 340 g (12 oz) of corned beef into the softened onion and vegetables, and use only 2 tablespoons of soy sauce because the meat is already salty.
Questions and answers
What is sapasui?
Sapasui is a Samoan noodle dish of glass noodles cooked with meat, vegetables, ginger, garlic and soy sauce. It is made in large pots for family gatherings.
Which noodles should I use?
Use dried mung bean noodles, sold as glass noodles or cellophane noodles. Rice vermicelli can work, but it turns softer.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
Yes. Use thinly sliced chicken thigh and cook it until it reaches 74°C (165°F).
How long does it take to make Sapasui (Samoan Glass Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sapasui (Samoan Glass Noodles with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 20 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
