Loaded with a variety of vegetables and overflowing with flavor, my Veg Manchow Soup Recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for those who love a spicy Indo-Chinese delight. This hot and flavorful soup is immensely popular in India and can be enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment to your favorite Chinese dishes.
Veg Manchow Soup Recipe
Prep and Cook Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
Course: Side Dish, Starters
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ingredients
For the Manchow Soup
- 1 tablespoon sesame or any cooking oil
- ½ to 1 teaspoon red chilies (fresh, finely chopped) or 1 to 2 green chilies
- 1 teaspoon ginger (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon garlic (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup onions (finely chopped) or ¼ cup spring onion whites
- ¼ cup button mushrooms, sliced or chopped
- ¼ cup French beans (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup cabbage (shredded)
- ¼ cup carrots (grated or finely chopped)
- ¼ cup capsicum (finely chopped, green bell pepper)
- 1 teaspoon celery (finely chopped, optional)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder (or white pepper powder, as needed)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 3 cups water (or vegetable stock)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (corn flour) dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon rice vinegar (or regular white vinegar, optional)
- 2 teaspoons coriander leaves (finely chopped, for garnish) or 1 to 2 tablespoons spring onion greens (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
For the Fried Noodles (Optional)
- ⅓ cup cooked noodles
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for coating noodles)
- Oil (for deep frying, as required)
Instructions
Preparing the Vegetables
- Rinse and chop all the vegetables, including the mushrooms, and set them aside.
- Heat oil in a wok or a large pan. Add the chopped fresh red chilies, garlic, and ginger.
- Sauté on low heat for 8 to 10 seconds, then add the chopped onions or spring onions. Continue to sauté for another minute.
- Next, add the finely chopped French beans and mushrooms. Stir-fry on medium to high heat until the mushrooms start to brown at the edges.
- Add the grated carrots, shredded cabbage, finely chopped capsicum, and optional celery. Stir-fry these vegetables on medium to high heat for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- After the vegetables are nicely cooked, add the soy sauce and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
Making the Manchow Soup
- Now, pour in the water or vegetable stock. Season the soup with salt to taste, keeping in mind that soy sauce already contains salt. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer over medium heat.
- While the soup simmers, prepare a smooth slurry with the cornstarch and water. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add this cornstarch mixture to the soup.
- Stir well and let the soup thicken while simmering on medium-low to medium heat.
- Finally, add the rice vinegar or regular vinegar if using, then turn off the heat. Stir the soup and taste; adjust seasonings like salt, black pepper, or soy sauce as needed.
Preparing the Fried Noodles (Optional)
- If you choose to make the fried noodles, coat the cooked noodles with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch evenly.
- Heat oil in a pan and add the coated noodles to the hot oil for frying.
- Fry until the noodles are crispy, then drain them on paper towels.
- Serve the hot Veg Manchow Soup topped with the crispy fried noodles, and optionally mix in chopped coriander leaves or garnish with spring onion greens.
Notes
For those who enjoy a spicy kick, feel free to add more green or red chilies or a splash of spicy red chili sauce. You can also increase the amount of black pepper to suit your taste. Feel free to customize the soup by adding your favorite vegetables or some protein like tofu or mung bean sprouts. If you prefer not to include fried noodles, you can simply leave them out of the soup. Additionally, if you’re not fond of vinegar, you can skip it altogether.
This Veg Manchow Soup Recipe can be scaled to serve more people, making it a great choice for gatherings or cozy dinners at home. Enjoy this flavorful and satisfying soup as a delightful start to your meal!