Prawn Hakka Noodles
Juicy prawns and crisp vegetables tossed with perfectly cooked noodles in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. A favorite Indo-Chinese street food classic that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
For 4 servings
6 steps. 15 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Cook the Noodles
- b.Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tsp of salt.
- c.Add the hakka noodles and cook according to package directions (usually 3-4 minutes) until al dente. Do not overcook.
- d.Immediately drain the noodles in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
- e.Toss the drained noodles with 1 tsp of oil to prevent them from sticking together. Set aside.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Prepare the Sauce
- b.In a small bowl, whisk together the light soy sauce, red chili sauce, white vinegar, and black pepper powder. Set this sauce mixture aside for later.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Stir-fry Prawns and Aromatics
- b.Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large wok or heavy-bottomed pan over high heat.
- c.Once the oil is shimmering, add the shelled and deveined prawns. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove from the wok and set aside.
- d.In the same wok, add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil. Add the chopped garlic, ginger, and slit green chilies. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Sauté the Vegetables
- b.Add the sliced onions to the wok and stir-fry for 1 minute until they become translucent.
- c.Add the julienned carrots, capsicum, and shredded cabbage. Continue to stir-fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes. The vegetables should be tender-crisp, not soft.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Combine and Finish
- b.Return the cooked prawns to the wok. Add the boiled noodles, followed by the prepared sauce mixture.
- c.Using two spatulas or tongs, gently toss everything together for 1-2 minutes on high heat. Ensure the noodles, prawns, and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.
- d.Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The soy sauce is salty, so you may not need additional salt.
- e.Turn off the heat, stir in the chopped spring onion greens, and give it a final toss.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Serve
- b.Transfer the Prawn Hakka Noodles to a serving platter.
- c.Serve immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best 'wok hei' (smoky flavor), use a carbon steel wok and cook on the highest possible heat.
- 2Do not overcrowd the wok. If you are doubling the recipe, cook in two batches to ensure everything stir-fries properly instead of steaming.
- 3Mise en place is key! Have all your vegetables chopped, prawns prepped, and sauce mixed before you start cooking, as the stir-frying process is very fast.
- 4Rinsing the noodles under cold water is a non-negotiable step to prevent them from becoming sticky and mushy.
- 5To save time, you can use a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots).
- 6Ensure your vegetables are cut into uniform, thin strips (julienned) so they cook quickly and evenly.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace prawns with 200g of cubed paneer, firm tofu, or a mix of mushrooms and baby corn. Stir-fry them until golden before adding other vegetables.
ChickenChicken
Use 250g of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips. Stir-fry the chicken until cooked through before adding the aromatics.
Spicy SchezwanSpicy Schezwan
Add 1-2 tablespoons of Schezwan sauce along with the other sauces for a fiery and pungent flavor.
EggEgg
Scramble 2 eggs in the wok before adding the aromatics. Set them aside and add them back in at the end with the noodles.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Lean Protein
Prawns are an excellent source of high-quality, lean protein, which is essential for muscle building, tissue repair, and keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Packed with Vitamins and Fiber
The variety of vegetables like carrots, capsicum, and cabbage provides essential vitamins (like Vitamin C and A), minerals, and dietary fiber, which aids digestion and overall health.
Quick Energy Source
The carbohydrates from the noodles provide a quick and efficient source of energy, making this a great meal to refuel your body.
Frequently asked questions
A typical serving of this Prawn Hakka Noodles recipe (about 1.5 cups) contains approximately 400-450 calories. The exact count can vary based on the type of noodles and amount of oil used.