Step 1

Toss beef strips with soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch; set aside.

Step 2

To make the the sauce, combine soy sauce, honey, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and starch in a small mixing bowl; mix well and set aside.

Step 3

Coat the beef again with the remaining cornstarch to ensure it is thoroughly coated.

Step 4

Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add a small batch of beef strips, shaking off the excess starch, and fry until lightly golden; about 1-2 minutes. Remove the beef strips using a metal wire strainer and place on a wired rack or a plate lined with a paper towel. Repeat with the next batch.

Step 5

Note: If you put too many beef strips at once, they might stick to each other and you will end up with a giant ball of meat instead of small bite-sized strips. Doing small batches is key for a successful deep fry for this recipe.

Step 6

Once the first fry is completed, do the second deep fry (again in small batches) until the beef turns deep brown and crispy, about 1 minute. Strain the beef with a metal strainer and transfer onto a wired rack.

Step 7

Wipe the extra oil off the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind. Add shredded carrot and stir fry for 1 minute until slightly soft. Add green onion and chili (if using) and stir for 10 seconds.

Step 8

Pour the reserved sauce mixture in a skillet. It should bubble and thicken right away. When the sauce is reduced and thickened to a sticky glaze (about 10 seconds), return the beef strips and toss together to coat evenly.

Step 9

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if you wish. Serve the crispy beef immediately with rice.