Egg Chowmein
A classic Indo-Chinese street food favorite! Stir-fried noodles tossed with scrambled eggs, crisp vegetables, and a savory, tangy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's the perfect weeknight meal.
For 4 servings
6 steps. 15 minutes total.
- 1
Cook the Noodles: Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot
- a.Add 1 tsp of salt and the hakka noodles. Cook for 3-4 minutes or according to package instructions until al dente. Immediately drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Toss with 1 tsp of vegetable oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Prepare Sauce & Scramble Eggs: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, red chili sauce, green chili sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Set this sauce mixture aside. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in the eggs and scramble for 1-2 minutes until just cooked. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Stir-fry Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of oil in the same wok over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sliced onion and the white parts of the spring onions, and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until translucent.
- 4
Continue Stir-frying: Add the julienned carrots and capsicum to the wok
- a.Continue to stir-fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes until they are tender-crisp. Finally, add the shredded cabbage and stir-fry for another minute. Do not overcook; the vegetables should remain crunchy.
- 5
Combine and Finish: Add the cooked noodles to the wok with the vegetables
- a.Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the top. Add the scrambled eggs and the remaining black pepper. Using two spatulas or tongs, toss everything together quickly but gently for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the noodles and vegetables are well-coated with the sauce.
- 6
Garnish and Serve: Garnish generously with the green parts of the spring onions
- a.Serve immediately while hot.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1High heat is crucial for authentic chowmein. Ensure your wok or pan is very hot before adding ingredients to get a good 'wok hei' (smoky flavor) and keep veggies crisp.
- 2Prep everything in advance (mise en place). Chop all vegetables, mix the sauce, and cook the noodles before you start stir-frying, as the cooking process is very fast.
- 3Don't overcook the noodles. They should be 'al dente' as they will cook further during the stir-frying stage.
- 4Rinsing noodles in cold water is a key step. It stops the cooking process and washes away excess starch, preventing them from becoming sticky and clumpy.
- 5Use a large wok or pan to give the ingredients enough space to stir-fry properly. Overcrowding the pan will steam the vegetables instead of frying them.
- 6For an extra layer of flavor, add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil at the very end after turning off the heat.
Adapt it for your goals.
Protein Addition
Add 150g of thinly sliced chicken, shrimp, or paneer. Stir-fry the protein after the aromatics until cooked through, then proceed with adding the vegetables.
Spicier VersionSpicier Version
For Schezwan Egg Chowmein, replace the red and green chili sauces with 2-3 tablespoons of Schezwan sauce. You can also add a few dried red chilies along with the garlic and ginger.
Vegetable ForwardVegetable-Forward
Increase the variety of vegetables by adding sliced mushrooms, baby corn, bean sprouts, or different colored bell peppers for more color and nutrients.
Healthier OptionHealthier Option
Substitute regular noodles with whole wheat noodles or soba (buckwheat) noodles for added fiber. You can also reduce the amount of oil and soy sauce.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Source of Protein
The eggs in this dish provide high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and maintaining healthy tissues.
Provides Quick Energy
The carbohydrates from the noodles offer a quick and efficient source of energy, making this a fulfilling meal to power you through your day.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
The variety of vegetables like carrots, capsicum, and cabbage contributes essential vitamins (like Vitamin A and C), minerals, and dietary fiber, which supports overall health and digestion.
Frequently asked questions
A typical serving of this Egg Chowmein (about 1.5 cups or 230g) contains approximately 380-420 calories, depending on the amount of oil and specific sauces used.