Chinese bhel is a popular Indo-Chinese preparation made with fried noodles tossed in vegetables & sauces.
This is a super easy, quick & delicious snack recipe that is popular all over the streets of Mumbai.
This is a vegan, gluten-free, beginner-friendly recipe.
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About Chinese Bhel (Indo-Chinese)
Over the years as Indo-Chinese cuisine became popular, many roadside food stallsย started servingย lip-smacking Indo-Chinese fusion food such as Chinese Pakora (Fritters), Chinese Spring Dosa, and many others.ย
However, among them, the most popular Indo-Chinese street food is Chinese Bhel.
The delicious amalgamation of sweet, spicy & tangy tastes from the sauces and the crunchy noodles & vegetables makes a perfect combination.
This bhel can be served as a starter for parties and get-togethers.
In the evening all along the Indian streets, you will find one or other carts that would serve this flavorful bhel.
Made with fried noodles, tossed with colourful vegetables and garnished with crunchy spring onions.ย
To make this Chinese bhel, tomato ketchup, red chilli sauce, vinegar and soya sauce are used. If you like your bhel way too spicy, you can add schezwan sauce too.
Vegetables can be added as per your choice, the standard vegetables that go are mainly shredded cabbage, bell peppers, carrots & spring onions.
Vegetables such as baby corn, sweet corn, sprouts, and French beans can also be added to enhance the taste and texture.
This fusion Indo-Chinese recipe is loved by kids and adults. It is well-adapted with Indian taste buds.
One thing you need to make sure of is that, prepare this bhel just before serving, as the fried noodles tend to get soggy over time due to the addition of sauces and veggies.
Recipe Video
ingredients
Fried Noodles โ For this recipe, I have used store-bought fried noodles that are now easily available at any grocery store.
Garlic โ We will require a teaspoon of chopped garlic which enhances the taste of this bhel.
Vegetables โ I have used basic standard vegetables like carrots, cabbage, capsicum (bell peppers) and spring onions. You may add vegetables of your choice.
Sauces โ For that sweet, tangy, spicy taste we will add tomato ketchup, red chilli sauce, soya sauce and vinegar. You may also add schezwan sauce if you like your bhel to be spicy.
Oil โ For cooking and frying the noodles (if you are making fried noodles at home)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese Bhel?
Chinese bhel is a popular Indo-Chinese street food that is made by using crispy fried noodles along with vegetables and spicy, tangy sauces.
Is Chinese Bhel spicy?
Yes, this bhel is mildly spicy as we add red chilli sauce, but the level of spiciness can be easily adjusted according to your personal preference.
Can I make Chinese Bhel at home?
Yes, Chinese bhel is very easy to make with basic ingredients. Making it at home keeps you in control of how much sauces are added and makes it easy to tweak the recipe as per your choice.
What type of noodles are used to make Chinese Bhel?
Thin wheat noodles or hakka noodles are used which are fried until they become crisp.
Nowadays fried noodles are easily available at any grocery store and also available on Amazon.
Is Chinese Bhel a vegetarian dish?
Yes, this bhel is usually vegetarian. Made with vegetable and spicy sauces. Unless you want to add chicken or prawns.
What is the difference between traditional Indian bhel and Chinese Bhel?
Traditional Indian bhel which is also called as bhel puri is a savoury, sweet and spicy snack made with puffed rice (murmura) along with tangy tamarind & spicy chilli chutney. While Chinese bhel on the other hand is made using fried noodles tossed with Chinese sauces.
Can Chinese bhel be served cold?
Yes, it is best to serve Chinese bhel at room temperature or slighly chilled.
What vegetables are typically used in making Chinese Bhel?
Basic common vegetables like cabbage, bell pepper (capsicum), carrots, spring onions are typically used in making Chinese bhel. Other additional vegetables include cucumber and tomatoes.
Can Chinese Bhel be stored for later use?
It is best to consume this bhel fresh as the fried noodles tend to get soggy if stored. However, you can store the sauce and mix it with the noodles just before serving the bhel.
What are other toppings for Chinese bhel?
Topping can include spring onion, salted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds and cilantro.
Is Chinese Bhel a good party snack option?
Yes, it is a great party snack option due to its vibrant flavours and crunchy texture. It is a crowd-pleaser.
What dish should I serve with Chinese Bhel?
Chinese bhel pairs best with other Indo-Chinese dishes like spring rolls, soups, fried rice or manchurian.
Variations
You can add vegetables like baby corn, sweet corn, french beans and sprouts.
Instead of red chilli sauce, you can add schezwan sauce for more spice.
Other variations include adding tofu, paneer (Indian cottage cheese), prawns or chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chinese bhel as a starter with an Indo-Chinese meal.
Storage Options
It is best to consume this bhel fresh as the fried noodles tend to get soggy if stored. However, you can store the sauce and mix it with the noodles just before serving the bhel.
Related Recipes
More Fusion Recipes
Hakka Noodles, American chop suey, Masala Macaroni Pasta, Pasta In Red Sauce, Cheese Paratha
How to make Street Style Chinese Bhel
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Recipe Card
Chinese Bhel (Indo-Chinese Fusion Recipe)
Ingredientsย ย
Sauces
- 3 tablespoons Tomato Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Red Chilli Sauce (OR Schezwan Sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Soya Sauce
For Stir-Frying Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic, finely chopped
- 1 Green Capsicum (Bell Pepper), cut length wise
- 1/2 cup Spring Onions White
- 1 cup Spring Onions Greens, finely chopped
- 2 Carrot, cut lengthwise
- 1 cup Cabbage, cut lenghtwise
- 2 cups Fried Noodles
- Salt to taste, if needed
Instructionsย
- You can use storebought friied noodles in making this Chinese bhel.
How To Fry Noodles
- In a big saucepan addย 2ย litres of water and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water starts boiling add the Hakka noodles and cook the noodles as per the instructions on the cover.
- When the noodles are cooked, drain the water completely & drizzle 2 tsp of Oil so that the noodles do not stick to each other.
- Now once cooled, deep fry them in oil over medium flame till they are crisp and golden in colour.
- Your fried noodles are ready.
Making Vegetable Dressing
- In a mixing bowl, add tomato ketchup and red chilli sauce.
- Add vinegar and dark soya sauce.
- Mix all the sauces. Keep it aside.
- In a wok or saucepan, heat a tablespoon of oil and add finely chopped garlic.
- Saute garlic for a minute and add capsicum (bell peppers).
- Add a few spring onion whites.
- Add carrots and saute vegetables on medium to high flame.
- We don't want to overcook the vegetables there, they should retain their crunch.
- Add cabbage and saute the veggies on high flame for about 4-5 minutes till the raw smell of vegetables slightly fades away.
- Once the vegetables are perfectly sauteed, add the sauces that we made mixed earlier.
- Mix well. You can add salt to taste at this stage if required. The sauces already have ample salt, hence I have not added any.
- Add spring onion greens. Our vegetable dressing for bhel is ready.
Assemble
- In a mixing bowl, add fried noodles.
- Add the vegetable mixture.
- Mix the noodles and vegetables till all noodles are evenly coated.
- Lastly, garnish with a few spring onion greens.
- Chatpata Chinese Bhel is ready to serve. Serve it immediately.
