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Chowmein is a staple of Chinese Indian cuisine. It was brought to India by the Chinese in Calcutta. Usually served with gravy in Hakka style. Vegetable chowmein, an Indian version that accommodates vegetarian diets, is made of noodles with carrots, cabbage, pea pods, bamboo shoots, and green peppers.
Calcutta Chowmein is a version from Kolkata that additionally contains green chilli, hot garlic, or chilli garlic. Carrots, cabbage, peppers, spring onions, chiles, and ginger-garlic paste are all included in the other version.
Now that you know how this deliciousness was included in various parts of India, why not savour this soul food at midnight by trying new combos? Chowmein is a very versatile dish that can be made with gravy and stir-fried vegetables.
Given its ease of preparation, it can also be an easy solution to your midnight craving. It is filling, and one can also make healthier and more authentic Chinese. Keep reading to know more!
7 Various Soul Chowmein Combos To Try
1. Classic Veg Chowmein
Craving a wholesome vegetarian meal? Classic Veg Chowmein is a truly soul-satisfying dish with vegetables like carrots, beans, and cabbage stir-fried to perfection. The dish also uses some light soy sauce gravy. It's a vegetarian delight that's easy to prepare, too. It is perfect for when you want something delicious but don't want the cooking. Boil the noodles and stir-fry the veggies beforehand. Add chopped scallions and toasted peanuts with some fresh lemon juice to make it more tasty.
2. Schezwan Chicken Chowmein
Schezwan Chicken Chowmein is made of tender, marinated chicken and lots of veggies. It has a very spicy heat with lots of garlic. The stir-fried noodles can also be served with a bit of garlic or chilli sauce for much heat. You can add red chillies and wonton strips along with sesame seeds. This chowmein dish is unique and perfect for someone who loves spicy food!
3. Hakka Noodles
Cook some thin noodles with vegetables lying around in your fridge. Make up a sauce according to your taste and stir-fry veggies, noodles, and sauce with a little salt, pepper, and MSG. If you want noodles like your local street, add the MSG instead of leaving it out. The magic lies in the secret salt. You can add sliced boiled chicken or tofu for protein with fried shallots or garlic bits. A simple garnish of chopped scallions can make the dish pretty, too.
4. Singaporean Chilli Crab Chowmein
If you have stir-fried crab meat, why not toss it with noodles in a sweet and spicy chilli crab gravy? Don't hesitate to add crab meat to your noodles; it tastes delicious and unique. Make the gravy from tomato paste, corn veggies of choice, garlic, and shrimp paste for the best results. For those who prefer a milder experience, you can adjust the number of chilli flakes in the sauce. Crab dishes are mostly spicy; hot honey will also help tame the spice.
5. Malaysian Curry Laksa
This dish uses rice vermicelli noodles with creamy curry laksa broth. Simply use pre-made curry laksa paste with coconut milk and water to make a soup before adding noodles. It is perfect for seafood lovers. To enhance the taste, one can add fish balls, tofu puffs, and fish momos. Vegetables like bean sprouts and spinach can also be added to make the dish more filling and healthy. Have fresh lime leaves? Add them with cilantro and lime juice.
6. Kung Pao Chicken Chowmein
Kung Pao Chicken Chowmein is the best of desi Chinese! This dish has sweet, spicy, and nutty flavours. The chowmein is mixed with chicken pieces that are stir-fried. This is a tasty dish that does not shy away from chilli flakes. The dish is sure spicy. You can add masala peanuts or roasted cashews for a unique taste. This dish is surprisingly easy to prepare. Kung Pao Chicken Chowmein is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will leave you wanting more.
7. Pan-fried Chilli Paneer Chowmein
Calling all vegetarians! This Pan-fried chilli paneer Chowmein is vegetarian and is the best desi you can get. Crispy paneer cubes and veggies of choice are pan-fried to golden perfection. Vinegar, soy sauce, and other sauces are added to the fried mixture before chowmein is added, which is cooked for five minutes. The dish is perfect for vegetarians craving chowmein at night! The green onions, cilantro, and fresh lime make the dish pop more. You can use store-bought frozen pre-fried paneer to save time and choose store-bought chilli paneer sauce.
Desi chowmein can also be made by adding garlic, ginger, and maggie masala. There are numerous tricks to make chowmein. The taste can be customised however you like. You can also add munchies, like toasted peanuts and cashews. Also, remember to add key tastemakers once in a while. Don’t miss out on MSG and vinegar.
