These delicious Chinese Masala Noodles are a classic blend of Indo-Chinese flavors. With spicy and flavorful noodles, fresh crunchy vegetables, anda delicious masala sauce, this simple recipe is the perfect meal for any time of day.
This recipe is near and dear to my heart because of all the memories associated with it. Growing up, my sisters would always make me lunch and dinner from time to time. We all really enjoyed cooking, but my mom and I were probably the only ones who would cook no matter what time of day it was.
My sisters would cook on their own terms, whenever they were in the mood to! My second older sister, in particular, used to make some of the best dishes. From spring rolls to these spicy Chinese Masala Noodles, she had some of the tastiest recipes ever.
But she would only ever make it randomly! It was always a nice surprise though – and it would totally make my day.
Looking back, I wish I didn’t take those days for granted, because the other day I was craving her noodles so badly that I honestly wanted to just close my eyes and pretend the dish of noodles was right in front of me. I could not even stand the fact that I had to boil water to make the pasta, because I just wanted it instantly.
I wanted it so badly though, so I forced myself to figure it out – and I’m glad I did. While I was cooking the veggies with the spices, the smells brought me back to the best time in my childhood.
Originally, in the Patel house, this recipe was just called “noodles,” nothing specific. I can almost still hear my sister saying, “Well, I’m making noodles tonight.” Over time, we started calling it Chinese Noodles because we went through a phase where all we wanted to do was eat Chinese food, but unfortunately, we did not like the noodles that were at the local Chinese restaurant or anywhere around us.
All the Chinese restaurants around were just so bland and inauthentic. They had next to no flavor, not to mention there weren’t many vegetables in the lo mein. So, we decided to take the vegetables traditionally found in restaurant lo mein and incorporate them into my sister’s noodle recipe.
On top of that, we added soy sauce and other Asian condiments, along with our classic Indian spices which really brought this noodle recipe to another level. In fact, Indo-Chinese food is massively popular in India, so we already knew exactly what flavors would work best together. If you grew up in an Indian home, you already know that means that we added traditional Indian masalas.
My sisters and I truly came up with this recipe over time and more importantly, together.
Making these Chinese Masala Noodles is like a glimpse back into time for me. The aromas and the tastes bring me right back in time to eating these noodles, sitting at my parents at the dining table, and fighting about who’s going to do the dishes, knowing damn well I ended up doing them because I never really helped make the noodles in the first place.
You see, when it was sister’s turn to cook, she didn’t ever want anyone else in the kitchen with her. So, whenever she made these noodles, my other sister and I would be the cleanup crew by default.
And honestly, I didn’t even mind because these Chinese Masala Noodles are so worth it. I think I could wash dishes two days in a row just to enjoy these noodles.
Now, if all that doesn’t convince you enough that these noodles are amazing, I simply don’t know what to tell you. In addition to being the best blend of Asian and South Asian flavors, these masala noodles are jam-packed with nourishing, crunchy vegetables, and rich sauces and spices.
Trust me, even if you’re not big on vegetables, you’ll want to eat every single veggie from this noodle recipe without complaint.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Chinese Masala Noodles
If you can’t find specific Asian-style noodles (such as lo mein or chow mein), you can just use thin spaghetti noodles. They end up being very similar to Asian noodles, so don’t fret too much.
I’ve been using spaghetti instead of actual Asian noodles for years and I love it! I also love how you can choose from so many varieties, such as whole wheat or even cauliflower spaghetti, which allows you to make a healthy version of these Chinese Masala Noodles.
Since I often find myself wanting these noodles instantly, I usually prepare things in advance for the week.
For instance, I can easily prep the veggies in advance and keep them sliced in an airtight container. I also boil the noodles and keep them rinsed and drain them in an airtight container as well. This way, on the day off, it’s so easy to just sauté the veggies, add the spices and sauces, and then cook everything together.
You will save half the time by preparing it ahead of time and you’ll have the same delicious meal as if you spent hours in the kitchen! This also makes this Chinese Masala Noodles recipe a fantastic meal prep recipe to make at the start of the week, especially when you know you’re going to be busy.
Just an East/West coast girl living the southern life. I love sharing all my tested and perfected recipes here, along with some travel guides and a little bit of my lifestyle
