Chowmein is a very popular Indo-Chinese dish that has become a very common street food and appetizer dish in parties and gets together.
What is Chowmein?
Chowmein is Indo-Chinese style noodles also known as Hakka noodles and is a very famous street food in Delhi. It can be widely seen on the streets of Delhi where people would often buy it. The street vendor would make each plate in from of the customer as per their preferences.
I love adding plenty of vegetables in my chow mien noodles to make it more flavorful and delicious. The best way to cook chowmein is to make individual plates per servings.
Basic Ingredients for chowmein:
- Firstly, Hakka Noodles-I use chings veg hakka noodles to make chowmein. You may use any variety you like.
- Vegetables-I love adding rainbow vegetables like cabbage, capsicum, carrots and peas.
- Soy sauce-Try to use low sodium naturally brewed soy sauce.
- Vinegar-Any kind of synthetic vinegar would work fine in the dish.
How to make Chowmein?
The best way to make chow mein is to make it in a wok on high flames. First, keep the noodles boiled and ready to use, coated with oil. Now heat oil in a wok and stir fry the onions, along with the rest of the vegetables. Finally add niidles, soy sauce spices and stir fry to cook more.
Finally add vinegar, black pepper and top with chopped scallions. Serve right away.
Serving Suggestions.
Serve the chowmein right away with Veg Manchurian and or soup. For variation, you may add mushrooms and tofu in the noodles to make them more interesting.
*/Looking for more such appetizer recipes to get some ideas for your snacking? Do not miss my Gobhi Manchurian and Chilli Potato and the best one’s Schezwan Noodles.
*If you ever try this recipe don’t forget to share your photos with me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or tag me on Instagram @cookingwithsapana using the hashtag #cookingwithsapana and stay connected* I would love to see your creations from my space!!
Veg Chowmein
Equipment
- Wok
Ingredients
- 250 gm Hakka noodles/ Chinese noodles
- 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
- 1 cup thinly sliced capsicum
- 1/2 cup peas, optional (we prefer)
- 1 cup thinly sliced onion
- 2-3 green chilly chopped
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Ajino motto/chinese salt, optional
- salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilly powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly crushed pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Boil water in a large vessel, add a half teaspoon of oil and noodles , Let the noodles cook for 5-7 minutes. Drain the water in a colander and rinse the noodles under running water to avoid sticking.
- Drizzle some oil on noodles and toss well.
- Heat oil in a skillet, add onions and green chillies. Stir for 1 minute and add turmeric powder, salt and red chilly.
- Saute for 1 minute and add all vegetables in the sequence above stir on medium high flame and cook for 5 minutes till veggies become a little tender. Now add the noodles on top of vegetables.
- Add soy sauce, mix well and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on medium high heat with frequent stirring.
- Now in the last add vinegar, stir and add ajino motto over the top. Keep mixing and stirring.
- Remove from heat and add freshly cracked peppercorn powder.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- For best results make each plate separately.
- I prefer making my noodles with lots of vegetables but you may choose as you desire.
- Ajino motto is Chinese salt and not considered good for health if consumed frequently. As I make chowmein only once in a while , I do add it sometimes. But it is completely optional.
Always let me know how this recipe turned out in the comments below. I will be so excited to hear how you served your veg chowmein and please do share your tips and tricks with me.
Don’t forget that you can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Best Regards,
Sapana Behl