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1
In a large soup pot, cover the oxtails or short ribs with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat.
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2
Drain off the water.
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3
Add the 18 cups of water and bring to a boil.
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4
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small nonstick skillet.
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5
Add the onion and ginger, cut sides down, and cook over moderately high heat until richly browned, about 5 minutes.
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6
Add the onion and ginger to the pot along with the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, rock sugar and 1 tablespoon of kosher salt.
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7
Put the cloves, star anise and fennel seeds in a tea ball or tie them up in a piece of cheesecloth.
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8
Add them to the pot and simmer, skimming occasionally, until the oxtails are tender, about 2 hours.
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9
Strain the broth in a large sieve set over a heatproof bowl.
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10
Remove the meat from the oxtails.
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11
Refrigerate the broth and the oxtail meat separately overnight.
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12
Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan.
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13
Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until golden, about 2 minutes.
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14
Add the crushed red pepper and sesame seeds and cook for 1 minute; transfer to a bowl.
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15
Stir in the sesame oil and a pinch of salt.
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16
Put the rice vermicelli in a large bowl and cover with cold water.
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17
Let the vermicelli soak until pliable, about 20 minutes.
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18
Skim the fat from the surface of the beef broth and discard.
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19
Bring the broth to a simmer over moderately high heat.
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20
Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
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21
Place the thinly sliced raw beef in a large strainer and lower it into the simmering broth for 4 seconds; transfer the meat to 6 soup bowls.
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22
Drain the vermicelli.
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23
Working in 6 batches, put the vermicelli in the strainer and lower it into the boiling water for 30 seconds, or until the vermicelli is barely tender.
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24
Drain and transfer to the bowls.
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25
Ladle about 1 1/2 cups of the broth over each bowl of vermicelli and add the chilled oxtail meat.
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26
Put each of the remaining ingredients in seperate bowls or arrange the vegetables and herbs together on a platter.
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27
Serve the soup with the condiments and the sesame-chile oil.
