Chinese Bhel Recipe – Crispy Noodle Salad
Description:
Chinese Bhel is a vibrant, fusion street food that has won the hearts of many across India, especially in Mumbai. Combining crispy noodles with a medley of fresh vegetables and tangy chutneys, this delicious snack brings together the best of Indian and Chinese cuisines. The first time I had this delightful treat was at my in-laws’ house, where the cook effortlessly whipped up crispy noodles, tossed with an assortment of chutneys and raw veggies. It was an instant hit! While I loved indulging in this snack, it wasn’t until later that I decided to recreate it at home. Here’s a simple recipe for this flavorful, crunchy dish that can be enjoyed as a snack or a tea-time treat.
Cuisine: Fusion
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Hakka Noodles | 1 pack |
| Oil | 1 tablespoon (for air frying) |
| Onion | 1 (thinly sliced) |
| Cabbage (Patta Gobi/Muttaikose) | 1 cup (thinly sliced) |
| Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum) | 1 (thinly sliced) |
| Carrot (Gajjar) | 1 (thinly sliced) |
| Tomato | 1 (finely chopped) |
| Sweet Chutney (Date & Tamarind) | 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) |
| Green Chutney (Coriander & Mint) | 2 tablespoons |
| Red Chilli Sauce | 2 teaspoons (or more to taste) |
| Salt | To taste |
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-5
Instructions
-
Prepare the Vegetables and Chutneys
Begin by prepping all the vegetables. Thinly slice the onion, cabbage, green bell pepper, and carrot. Finely chop the tomato. Keep the chutneys (sweet and green) and the red chilli sauce ready, as these will be added later. -
Cook the Hakka Noodles
Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Cook the Hakka noodles in the boiling water until they are half done (approximately 3-4 minutes). Once done, drain the water and immediately rinse the noodles under cold water to stop further cooking. This helps maintain their texture and prevent them from becoming too soft. -
Prepare the Crispy Noodles
Once the noodles are cooled down, toss them in 1 tablespoon of oil to coat them evenly. The next step is to air fry the noodles for that perfect crispy texture.- Tip: To ensure that the noodles crisp up properly, fry them in small batches.
- Line your air fryer basket with an 8 x 8-inch piece of foil, pinching the edges to ensure it fits the basket. Leave a small gap around the edges to allow for air circulation. Prick a few holes in the foil to improve airflow.
- Spread the oiled noodles evenly on the foil and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 15 to 20 minutes. Remember to check and toss the noodles every 7 minutes to ensure they fry evenly.
- Once they’re golden and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside to cool.
-
Assemble the Chinese Bhel (Crispy Noodle Salad)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced vegetables (onion, cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, and tomato) with the fried noodles.Add the sweet chutney, green chutney, and red chilli sauce to the bowl, adjusting the amounts to your taste preferences. Toss everything together gently using two spoons, making sure the noodles are well coated with the chutneys and the vegetables are evenly distributed.
-
Adjust the Seasoning
Taste the salad and adjust the salt, spice, and chutney levels as needed. You can add more sweet chutney or red chilli sauce depending on your desired level of tanginess or heat. -
Serve
Chinese Bhel is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to maintain the crunchiness of the noodles. Serve it as a delightful snack for a tea-time treat or as a healthy after-school snack for kids.
Notes:
- For a lighter version, you can skip frying the noodles and use store-bought crispy fried noodles.
- Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers, lettuce, or even cucumber for extra crunch.
- The key to the perfect Chinese Bhel lies in the balance of the chutneys and the crispy noodles, so feel free to experiment with the amounts until you find your ideal combination.
Enjoy your crunchy, flavorful, and tangy Chinese Bhel – a perfect fusion of Indian and Chinese street food in one bowl!
