5 Indo-Chinese Food Dishes You Must Try!
Chinese cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world for more than one reason. It is aromatic, flavourful and simply delicious! The mere mention of Chinese dishes like Manchurian, Chilli Chicken, Fried Rice, etc., make your mouth water, especially when it's street style Chinese from Hong's Kitchen. So, have you ever wondered if these delectable creations are Chinese or Indian? Let Mr. Hong of Hong's Kitchen spill the truth bombs.
Well, truth be told, these dishes are a result of a scrumptious Indo-Chinese fusion. The origin of Indian Chinese food, popularly referred to as 'Chindian' or 'Desi Chinese' in India, dates back to a few hundred years ago when a small group of the Chinese community from the Hakka region settled in Kolkata.
This community brought with them its unique cuisine, spices and cooking techniques, which the locals adapted in their own way. Soon, the Indian version of Chinese dishes started tickling the taste buds of people all over India, and many new 'Indian Chinese food' came into existence, including Chilli Chicken, Paneer Chilli, Chinese Idli, Chinese Bhel, etc.
If you are still wondering what Indian Chinese food is? In simple terms, it is the Indian adaptation of Chinese cooking methods, ingredients, seasonings, and sauces, giving them an Indian twist.
Let us look at some of the best Indo-Chinese dishes you must try
Chilli Chicken
One of the most popular Indian Chinese food, Chilli Chicken, is loved by all. It is a favourite appetiser for many, and its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy taste leaves an everlasting impression on your palate. The dish is made by marinating the chicken pieces in soy sauce (the Chinese element). It is then coated in a thick paste made of chilli, ginger, garlic (an Indian staple), and other spices and sauteed with onion and green chillies.
There is also a dry version of the dish that is deep-fried. You can also make a vegetarian version by replacing the chicken with paneer. Both dishes taste delicious and will surely leave you craving for more.
You can order online this delicious Indo-Chinese food near you from your favourite restaurant, Hong's Kitchen and enjoy a tasty appetiser before your meal.
Spring Rolls
Did you know the locals refer to Spring Rolls as Chun Juan in China? It is a traditional Cantonese-style steamed dumpling that was to welcome spring in China. The authentic Chinese spring rolls have a meat filling, typically pork or duck. The Indian version of Spring Rolls tastes quite different from the original Chinese dish.
In India, it is mainly served as an appetiser, and it is golden fried, with a crispy outside and soft filling inside. The filling can be chicken, vegetables or a combination of both. It is an excellent snack you can have any time of the day, and you can feel your taste buds jumping with joy with every bite.
If you already crave this snack, you can order your favourite Molten Cheese Spring Rolls, Spicy Veg Spring Rolls or Classic Chicken Spring Rolls from Hong's Kitchen and go on a snack attack!
Manchurian
One of the best culinary inventions, Manchurian is not just a dish, it is an emotion. We are sure you would want to know the story behind this lovely Indo-Chinese dish. So, here's what Mr. Hong has found out. The credit of creating Manchurian dishes goes to a Chinese Chef named Nelson Wang who first made the Indian version of Chicken Manchurian. Mr Wang, who came to Mumbai in 1975, made this dish when he started playing around with Indian ingredients like ginger, chilli, and garlic and added a splash of soy sauce instead of the garam masala.
Today, there are endless varieties of Manchurian dishes made with different ingredients like mutton, fish, chicken, prawns, cauliflower and paneer.
A meal with a Manchurian dish can never go wrong. You can order a bowl of gravy - Vegetarian Manchurian soup or Chicken in Manchurian Sauce from Hong's Kitchen and relish a desi Chinese meal!
Fried Rice
Indian love their rice; it is a staple in most parts of the country. While there are countless rice dishes, a hearty Indo-Chinese style fried rice immediately stirs up the hunger pangs. Fried rice is easy to make. You can toss boiled rice in a wok and mix it with vegetables, meat (of your choice), egg, spring onions, bell peppers, soy sauce and vinegar, and voila! Fried Rice is ready to savour.
If you don't want to cook at home, Mr Hong brings to you a delicious plate of fried rice from Hong's Kitchen. Order Veg or Chicken fried rice online, and get your favourite version delivered to your doorstep.
You may also like to read - Fried Rice vs. Chinese Rice - What's the difference?
Chowmein
The traditional Chinese name for Chowmein is chau-meing. It is a simple, yet a super tasty dish of boiled noodles topped with greens, eggs, and soya sauce. In India, it is pan-fried and has a hint of spice from the green chillies. It is a favourite Chinese street food in India, and everyone, from kids to adults, loves a bowl of Chowmein noodles.
If you are sceptical about having Chowmein from a street-side vendor, you can order Street Style Chowmein online from Hong's Kitchen (Chinese QSR). It is hygienic, made with the best ingredients, and served with love!
You may also like to read - Are Hakka noodles Chinese or Japanese?
When it comes to Indian food, everyone may have their own favourite cuisine, from Punjabi, Maharashtrian, Bengali, and south Indian to Kashmiri. But Indian Chinese food is in a league of its own; it is a national obsession!