Chowmein has been a popular noodle dish across Nepal and India. This tasty stir-fried noodle dish, prepared mostly with vegetables, meat, and savory sauce, gives joy to everyone of any age group. This is why it can easily be found in street food stalls and even big restaurant chains.
Origin and History of Chowmein
Chowmein actually originated in China, where “chow mein” literally means “fried noodles” in Cantonese. It migrated to various parts of the world, adapting to local tastes and ingredients. It was then embraced wholeheartedly in Nepal and India to become ubiquitous as part of their street food culture.
Interesting Facts and Popularity in Nepal and India
- Cultural Fusion: Chowmein in Nepal and India often includes local spices and flavors to give this dish its unique taste that differs from the traditional Chinese Chowmein.
- Street Food Staple: A popular choice for a quick, delicious, and economical meal is Chowmein, frequently found in bustling markets and street food stalls.
- Versatility: Whether vegetarian or with meat, Chowmein caters to a wide base of dietary preferences by virtue of being quite versatile.
- Youth Popularity: Chowmein enjoys high popularity among young folk, and they like to take it with friends as snacks or meals.
Quick and Easy Homemade Chowmein Recipe:
Chowmeins are usually be Vegetable, Chicken, Buffalo, Paneer (cottage cheese). But today I am going to share the chicken chowmeins which are mostly popular in Nepal rather than India. Let’s make together:
Required Ingredients for Best Chicken Chowmein:
- 200 grams Chowmein Noodles (Made with regular wheat flour and steamed for a while)
- 200 grams boneless chicken breast,(Slice thinly)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 200 grams chopped cabbage
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Spring onions or Coriander leaves for garnish
Easy to make chicken chowmein in Asian Style:
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain the excess water and set aside with adding some vegetable oil so it won’t stick eachother.
- Stir-Fry Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, add some oil. Sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers for 2-3 minutes. Add carrots and cabbage, stir-frying until tender.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked noodles and chicken back into the pan. Now pour little soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili sauce. Toss everything together until well combined. You should stir and fry it for another 2-3 minutes.
Chowmein - Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with spring onions and coriander leaves and serve hot.
As like this, you can make it buff chowmein with adding buffalo meat instead of Chicken and the remaining process are same. But make sure, buff meat takes more time to cook rather than chicken.
Nutritional Facts of Chowmein (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 324 |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 30 mg |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugars | 4 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Vitamin C | 20% |
| Calcium | 5% |
| Iron | 10% |
| Vitamin B6 | 15% |
Additional Tips for Storing and Quick Meals
- Storage: Store leftover Chowmein in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave before serving.
- Quick Breakfast: Top a fried egg on top of reheated chow mein for a filling, quick breakfast.
- Easy Lunch: Team the Chowmein with a simple cucumber salad for a good lunch.
Brunch Idea: Match Chowmein with dumplings or spring rolls for a great brunch.
Also Read: Top 10 Healthy and Easy American Breakfast Ideas with Recipe and Health Benefits
FAQs
Can I make Chowmein vegetarian?
Absolutely! Replace the chicken or buffalo meat with tofu or extra vegetables like mushrooms and broccoli, Carrots, Capsicum etc.
What type of noodles should I use?
Egg noodles are traditionally used, but you can substitute with any type of long, thin noodles like spaghetti or rice noodles.
How can I make my Chowmein spicy?
Add more chili sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes during cooking to increase the heat level.
Can I freeze Chowmein?
It’s best to enjoy Chowmein fresh, but you can freeze it for up to a month. Thaw and reheat thoroughly before serving. But it’s best to eat within a week.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to add any vegetables you like such as snap peas, baby corn, or zucchini.
Experience the many tastes and cultural blends which are Chowmein, a cuisine that has endeared itself to many people from Nepal or even India both in their hearts through the enjoyment derived from eating it. Be it merely for lunch break at work or celebrating an anniversary, this dish is multipurpose deliciousness waiting to happen!
