Manchurian (dish) facts for kids
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Chicken Manchurian served in Hyderabad
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| Type | fritter |
|---|---|
| Course | Snack |
| Place of origin | Mumbai, India |
| Created by | Nelson Wang |
| Invented | 1975 |
| Main ingredients | Cauliflower |
| Ingredients generally used | Chopped onion, capsicum, garlic |
Manchurian is a super yummy dish from India, inspired by Chinese cooking! It's made by frying tasty ingredients like chicken or cauliflower (which is called gobi), and then mixing them in a special sauce with soy sauce. This dish is a perfect example of how Chinese cooking styles were changed to fit Indian flavors. It's now a very popular food in India!
Contents
The Story Behind Manchurian
Even though the name "Manchurian" sounds like it's from a place called Manchuria in China, this dish was actually invented in India! It doesn't really taste like traditional Chinese food from that area.
Who Invented It?
The story goes that Manchurian was created in 1975 by a talented cook named Nelson Wang. He worked at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. A customer asked him to make something new and different from the usual menu.
How It Was Made
Nelson Wang started with common Indian cooking ingredients like chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilies. But instead of adding traditional Indian spices, he used soy sauce! Then he added cornstarch and the main ingredient, like chicken. This mix created the unique taste of Manchurian.
Popular Choices
While chicken is a popular choice, a very common vegetarian version uses cauliflower. This is often called gobi manchurian. Other tasty vegetarian options include mushroom, baby corn, and even veggie ball Manchurian.
Different Kinds of Manchurian
There are two main ways to enjoy Manchurian: dry (or crispy) and with gravy. Both types use similar ingredients like corn flour, maida flour, spring onion, bell peppers, soy sauce, chili sauce, minced garlic, and ground pepper. They are usually garnished with fresh spring onions.
Dry or Crispy Manchurian
This version is served with less sauce, making the fried pieces crispy. It's often eaten as a snack or a starter, sometimes with tomato ketchup for dipping. It's a popular choice to munch on!
Manchurian with Gravy
In this style, the fried pieces are covered in a thick, spicy sauce. This gravy is usually made with corn flour. Manchurian with gravy is often served as a main meal with different kinds of rice, like steamed rice or Chinese fried rice.
