Hong Kong-style Braised Beef Brisket
Hong Kong-style Braised Beef Brisket is a beloved comfort food where tender chunks of beef brisket are slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic sauce. The sauce is typically built on a base of soy sauce, rock sugar, and a blend of spices like star anise, ginger, and tangerine peel, often with daikon radish added to absorb the flavors. It's a staple in local cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong-style diners) and street food stalls.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the beef brisket and fat from the marbling and braising liquid, with minimal carbohydrates unless served with rice or noodles. It provides significant iron, zinc, and B vitamins from the beef, with a typical serving containing roughly 400-600 calories depending on portion size and sauce richness.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Zinc | 8.0 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 3.0 mcg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Phosphorus | 280 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6.0 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.5 mg |
| Selenium | 25 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The dish reflects Hong Kong's culinary fusion, blending Chinese braising techniques with the practical need for hearty, economical cuts of meat that become tender through slow cooking. Nutritionally, the long cooking process breaks down collagen in the brisket into gelatin, which can be beneficial for joint and gut health.
