BM# 63: Journey through the Cuisines
Week 1: Bengali Cuisine
Day 8: H for Hakka Noodles
Calcutta (or more recently Kolkatta) is known to be the first place where Chinese migrated in the late 18th and 19th centuries. They brought along their Chinese seasoning and cooking techniques that were adapted to Indian tastes which developed into the popular Indo-Chinese cuisine that we all enjoy today.
Ok now coming back to our Hakka Noodles. I made the recipe from Soma's blog a few times in the past but never blogged about it. The main component of the noodles is the spicy sauce made with garlic, ginger, chili sauce and tomato paste (or ketchup). The other usual Chinese ingredients soy sauce and vinegar also make an appearance here. Soma says she uses dark soy sauce that she gets from Calcutta, but I used regular low-sodium soy sauce and it tasted fine to me.
I added some sauteed tofu to the noodles to add protein to the dish, but feel free to add egg or paneer or anything else to make it more substantial.
Recipe from Soma's Ecurry:
Hakka Noodles
Ingredients
For the Noodles & Veggies:
- 1 200 gms packages Noodles Egg Noodles of Hakka or
- 1 Carrot Large , shredded or cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 Bell pepper , thinly sliced
- 1 beans cupFrench , sliced
- 1 Onion Small , thinly sliced
- 4 ~ 5 Green Onions , sliced
- 1 tsp Red Chili flakes
- 4 tbsps Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsps Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Vinegar
- To taste Salt
For the Sauce:
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 Ginger " piece, finely grated
- 1 tbsp Sriracha chili sauce or other
- 2 tbsps Tomato paste Ketchup or
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Blend all the ingredients for the sauce in a blender to a smooth paste. Make sure that the sauce is not too runny.
- Cook the noodles as per package directions (put the noodles into boiling water and boil for 3~4 minutes, then drain and spread on a large plate or baking sheet with a drizzle of oil to avoid sticking together.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat 2tbsp sesame oil and add the cubed tofu. Cook on medium high heat until golden brown on all sides. Remove onto a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
- Wipe the wok or skillet and heat 2tbsp sesame oil, add chili flakes and onions. Cook on medium-high heat until the onions turn translucent. Add the ground paste and salt; cook for 2~3 minutes or until the raw taste of the garlic disappears.
- Lower the heat and add soy sauce and vinegar. Mix well.
- Increase the heat and add the bell pepper, carrot and beans; Cook till the veggies are crisp tender, they should still retain their color and crunch.
- Add the shredded cabbage and cook for 1~2 minutes. Finally add the noodles, combine till all the ingredients are well mixed together. Cook for 3~4 minutes for the flavors to mingle. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve hot!!
Notes
Srivalli
I love hakka noodles, infact this is a constant lunch box item for my boys...guess noodles means hakka..:)..nice reading about culcutta and this connection..
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
Never knew the story behind the famous hakka noodles. Thanks for the history and an amazing recipe.
Amara Annapaneni
Love Hakka noodles and yours is just inviting:)
Kalyani
Lovely yummy bowl Of noodles ... My kids absolutely adore this .. Will try ur version soon , Pavani
Usha Rao
I was curious to see what made for H. I never would have guessed Hakka noodles. Drooling over the pictures though I just ate my lunch.
rajani
Nice choice for the alphabet H :-). I have heard about Chinese areas in Kolkata, but it's interesting to know the origins of this dish.
Suma Gandlur
Your pictures are speaking volumes. The instant I saw the post, I ran to my husband to show him. He loves these noodles.☺I knew the connection between Calcutta and the Indo-Chinese fusion food but didn'the realize this choice for 'H'. Brilliant choice and gorgeous images.
Sapana Behl
Hakka noddles are the number one breakfast preference at home for weekends.I am drooling over our pics, I really should not as I am fasting 😉
Gayathri's Cook Spot
Didn't know about this hakka connection to Bengal. That is a great info, Pavani. Hakka noodles looks so delicious and it is one of our fav Indo Chinese dishes..
vaishali sabnani
Now I would love to gorge on these..its lunch time and I really dont feel like eating roti sabzi.Noodles look super tempting and I bet all will agree with me.
rekhas kitchen
what a sharp pictures pavani and nice choice for the letter...
The Pumpkin Farm
our staple knowledge about chinese cuisine growing up...the pic with skillet is stunning pavani
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan
Amazing clicks and loved the way you cut the vegetables and also love the addition of tofu. So yum
Priya Suresh
I can survive for many days with this noodles, serve me with some manchurian can have it even everyday.
Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi
The pictures are just too good to take my eyes off them. Good to know the relationship between Bengali cuisine and Hakka noodles.
Smruti Shah
I loved the write up and the research you did for the recipe. Now that I know that Hakka Noodles have such a close connection with India, I can boast about them being Indian :p Great share and choice for H!
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
indo-chinese is such a great fusion cuisine and you have presented this dish so well
Global Tastes & Travels Inc.
indo-chinese is such a great fusion cuisine and you have presented this dish so well
veena krishnakumar
Sent the link to Vibha. Looks very inviting.
Ruchi Indu
drooling over here. Those are very templting clicks. beautifully presented...