Veg Chowmein Noodles are stir-fried noodles with vegetables, sometimes including meat or other protein sources, and served as such or with gravy.
Chowmein is different from Hakka Noodles, though both use noodles and are cooked with vegetables. Hakka Noodles have their roots in the Hakka Han or Han Chinese, whereas chowmein is from Taishan.
Essentially Chow Mein is a kind of boiled noodles that are stir-fried and cooked with vegetables, meat, and sauces. Whereas Hakka Noodles are tossed with vegetables and meat.
Since a lot of people from these Chinese regions migrated to India, especially Kolkata, the Indian version has Bengali flavours to it. So we can find in the Indian Chinese cuisine, more usage of lots of green chilies, chili garlic sauce, and hot garlic sauce.
So we have both Indian versions of Hakka Noodles and Chow Mein. While the nonvegetarian version can include meat, the vegetarian version can include cabbage, bamboo shoots, pea pods, green peppers, and carrots. In certain parts of the North, you can find even paneer or scrambled eggs included.
Is Hakka Noodles and Chow Mein the same or different?
After having read so many sources and notes, I had to conclude that both Hakka Noodles and chow mein are made using noodles and similar kinds of vegetables are added to them.
Still, the recipes online say that there is a slight difference between the two. It is said that Hakka noodles have dominant Bengali flavours whereas chow mein has flavours that can be closely associated with Chinese flavours. Moreover, Hakka noodles are cooked by tossing and frying the noodles. On the other hand, chow mein is made by stir-frying or boiling the noodles.
Basically, Veg Chow mein makes a fantastic dish as part of a meal or platter and kids simply would love it!
Why am I talking about Chow Mein and platters? Well, we are starting our April Mega BM-themed on Thalis and Platters.
My Day 1 in the Platters is all about Indo-Chinese Platter. This Indo Chinese Party Menu will surely get your kids all excited! This Veg Chowmein is a typical Indo-Chinese Dish. For ideas on other Indo-Chinese dishes, you can check my collection!
Since I am doing the same subtheme on both my sites for each week, SYL will feature platters that will appeal to kids more. Hop over to SYL to check what I have for Day 1 under Platters.
Along with these noodles, I had made Bread Manchurian, Chilli Paneer Gravy, Honey Chilli Potato and Honeyed Noodles with Vanilla Ice Cream
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Step By Step Pictures for making the noodles
Veg Chow Mein | Indian Chinese Style Veg Chowmein Noodles
How to make chow mein noodles
Boiling the noodles:
In a wide pot bring the water to a rolling bowl.
Once the water starts boiling, add the noodles.
Using a tong, loosen the noodles and let them cook for 4-5 minutes. Make sure the noodles are cooked just right and do not become mushy.
Drain the water. Run under running water to stop the cooking process.
Then add a teaspoon of oil and toss the noodles so they do not stick to each other. Keep it aside.
Making veg chow mein noodles:
Heat a nonstick pan with oil
Once hot add the chopped garlic and celery. Stir and saute for a few seconds.
Now add sliced onions, spring onion white, and mix. Keep stirring till onions get soft and translucent.
Then add all the prepped vegetables and mix well.
Cook for 2-3 minutes to make sure the veggies are just soft and not fully cooked.
Next, add all the sauces and mix well.
At this time add salt and pepper to taste.
Add boiled noodles and spring onion greens.
Toss everything together till noodles are coated with sauces and vegetable mixture well.
Serve hot. You can serve these noodles with Honey Chilli Potato as well.
Recipe
Veg Chow Mein | Indian Chinese Style Veg Chowmein Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 packet Hakka Noodles
- Water as required for boiling
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 tsp Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Celery finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Onion sliced
- 1/2 cup Carrot finely chopped
- 1 cup Capsicum (I used Red, Yellow and Green Bell Peppers)
- 1/2 cup Cabbage finely chopped
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Tomato Ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp Green Chilli Sauce
- 1.5 tsp Vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Pepper Powder to Taste
- 1/4 cup Spring Onions White
- 1/4 cup Spring Onion Green
Instructions
Boiling the noodles:
- In a wide pot bring the water to a rolling bowl.
- Once the water starts boiling, add the noodles.
- Using a tong, loosen the noodles and let it cook for 4-5 minutes. Make sure the noodles are cooked just right and not become mushy.
- Drain the water. Run under running water to stop the cooking process.
- Then add a teaspoon oil and toss the noodles so they do not stick to each other. Keep it aside.
Making veg chow mein noodles:
- Heat a nonstick pan with oil
- Once hot add the chopped garlic and celery. Stir and saute for a few seconds.
- Now add sliced onions, spring onion white and mix. Keep stirring till onions get soft and translucent.
- Then add all the prepped vegetables and mix well.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes to make sure the veggies are just soft and not fully cooked.
- Next add all the sauces and mix well.
- At this time add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add boiled noodles and spring onion greens.
- Toss everything together till noodles are coated with sauces and vegetable mixture well.
- Serve hot.
Suma Gandlur says
That chow mein sounds delicious. My husband would have invited himself for this dinner platter if he had been your neighbor. 🙂
Srivalli says
We would have surely entertained him Suma, most welcome anytime...:)
Harini Rupanagudi says
My kids love noodles in any form with the combination of any sauces and any veggies 🙂 This one sounds just as delicious.
Vaishali says
That’s a lovely plate of Chow Mein, I haven’t had it for years now , infact after I saw your Indo Chinese platter , I realised that I haven’t had a Chinese spread like this since a long time . It’s a restaurant spread.
Chow Mein and Hakka Noodles both were served in our restaurant ,and now I am craving to have some !
Narmadha says
Chow mein looks so inviting with mild flavors. I love noodles in any form. Please pass the bowl.
Renu says
I also was always confused as what is the difference between the two. Thanks for the post. The chow mein looks very inviting and I would love to gobble it all
Srividhya G says
Love veg chow mein anytime. When I shared hakka noodles a few years back, even I was looking for the difference. It's all with the method I think. Each and every restaurant have their own version as well. But we love both chowmein and hakka noodles. Great recipe to start the marathon.
Padmajha PJ says
Hakka / Chow mein, we love these types of Noodles and this is the only way my lil one will eat the vegetables in it! That is one tempting bowl of noodles!