Street-style noodles have become increasingly popular in recent years as people have discovered the joys of this versatile and easy-to-make dish. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or dinner option or a satisfying snack, street-style noodles offer a wide range of flavours and ingredients to experiment with.
Indian street noodles also known as chow mein are a popular variant of street style noodles. They are usually made with thin noodles, vegetables, and spices, and are served with a side of chutney or sauce. It is a quick, easy to make, and delicious meal that can be enjoyed on the go.
About Street Style Noodle
The history of street-style noodles can be traced back to the street vendors of China, who first began selling this dish on the streets of Beijing in the early 1900s. These vendors would cook up large batches of noodles and stir-fry them with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and spices. Over time, this dish has evolved and spread throughout Asia, and it is now a popular street food in many countries.
Chow mein is a Chinese dish that has been adapted to the Indian palate and is now a popular street food in India. It is made with boiled noodles that are stir-fried with a variety of vegetables and sauces, such as soy sauce, chili sauce, and tomato ketchup. Some street vendors also add chicken, shrimp, or egg to the dish to make it more filling.
Indian street noodles, on the other hand, are a fusion of Chinese and Indian flavours. They are usually made with a combination of boiled noodles, vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, and Indian spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Some street vendors also add paneer or tofu to the dish to make it more wholesome.
Both chow mein and Indian street noodles are typically served as a quick snack or a light meal on the go.
One of the great things about street-style noodles is that they are incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your tastes and preferences. For example, if you prefer spicy food, you can add more chili sauce or red pepper flakes to the dish. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you can easily substitute the protein with tofu or tempeh.
In addition to being delicious, street-style noodles are also a healthy meal option. They are typically low in fat and calories and high in protein and fibre, making them a great choice for those who are trying to eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
Whether you're a meat-eater or a vegetarian, a fan of spicy food or milder flavours, there is a street-style noodle dish out there for you. To make Indian street noodles or chow mein at home, you will need a few basic ingredients such as noodles, vegetables, and spices. Here's a simple recipe for making Indian-style street noodles at home
Types of noodles
There are many types of noodles around the world! Some examples include:
- Italian pasta: This includes a wide variety of shapes and sizes, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, and rigatoni.
- Chinese noodles: These include wheat noodles, such as udon and soba, as well as rice noodles, such as vermicelli and rice sticks.
- Japanese noodles: Soba and udon are popular types of noodles in Japan.
- Korean noodles: These include wheat noodles, such as naengmyeon, as well as sweet potato noodles, known as dangmyeon.
- Southeast Asian noodles: These include rice noodles, such as pho and banh pho, as well as egg noodles, such as mai fun.
- American noodles: These include egg noodles, such as those used in chicken noodle soup, as well as pasta, which is popular in dishes such as macaroni and cheese.
Pro Tips
1. Use fresh and good quality noodles for the best taste and texture.
2. In a pan, heat oil and add finely chopped ginger, garlic and green chili.
3. Add finely chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, carrots, and cabbage.
4. Add your choice of protein such as chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
5. Add soya sauce, vinegar, and red chili sauce to give it a tangy and spicy taste.
6. Add the cooked noodles and toss to coat well with the sauce.
7. Add spring onions and cilantro for added flavour and garnish.
8. Serve hot with a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds or peanuts on top.
9. Experiment with different combinations of vegetables and proteins to make different variations of street style noodles.
10. If you want to make it more authentic, use oyster sauce and dark soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce.
11. Be careful with the addition of salt as soy sauce, oyster sauce and chili sauce already contain salt.