Indo-Chinese at Home: 10 Restaurant-Style Recipes (Chilli Chicken to Hakka Noodles)

Indo-Chinese food – that fiery, saucy, addictive fusion born in Indian Chinese restaurants – is everyone's guilty pleasure. Think crispy fried starters drowned in tangy-spicy sauces, or garlicky noodles tossed with veggies and protein. The best part? You can recreate that exact restaurant magic at home with everyday ingredients, no MSG needed, and better control over spice and oil.

Here are 10 crowd-favorite Indo-Chinese recipes that taste just like your local "Chinese" joint (or even better!). I've included both veg and non-veg versions, with tips for dry vs gravy styles. Pair any starter with Hakka Noodles or Fried Rice for the ultimate combo.

1. Chilli Chicken (Dry & Gravy Versions)

The undisputed king of Indo-Chinese! Crispy chicken tossed in a glossy, spicy sauce with onions, capsicum, and green chilies.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 500g boneless chicken (thigh/breast), bite-sized
• For marinade: 1 egg white, 2 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp chili powder, salt, pepper
• For sauce: 2 tbsp oil, 4-5 garlic cloves (chopped), 1-inch ginger (chopped), 3-4 green chilies (slit), 1 onion (cubed), 1 capsicum (cubed), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp red chili sauce, 1 tbsp tomato ketchup, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp cornflour slurry (1 tbsp cornflour + ¼ cup water), spring onions for garnish

Steps:

1. Marinate chicken for 30 mins. Deep-fry or air-fry until golden and crispy.
2. In a wok, heat oil → sauté ginger-garlic-green chilies → add onions & capsicum (high flame, 2 mins).
3. Add sauces, ketchup, vinegar, sugar → thicken with slurry → toss in fried chicken.
4. For dry: less slurry, quick toss. For gravy: more water/slurry.

Tip: Use dark soy for deeper color. Serve hot!

2. Chicken Manchurian (Gravy – Restaurant Classic)

Tangy, garlicky sauce coating crispy chicken – perfect with noodles.

Ingredients:

• Same fried chicken as above (or use 400g boneless).
• Sauce: 3 tbsp oil, 5-6 garlic (finely chopped), 1-inch ginger, 1 onion (finely chopped), 1 capsicum, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp tomato ketchup, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, cornflour slurry, spring onions.

Steps:

1. Fry chicken as in Chilli Chicken.
2. Sauté garlic-ginger → onions → capsicum.
3. Add sauces + vinegar + sugar → boil → thicken → toss chicken.
4. Garnish generously with spring onions.

Tip: For extra restaurant gloss, add a dash of red food color (optional).

3. Gobi Manchurian (Dry – Veg Favorite)

Crispy cauliflower florets in spicy sauce – the veg version that's often better than non-veg!

Ingredients:

• 1 medium cauliflower (florets blanched), batter: ½ cup cornflour, ¼ cup maida, ginger-garlic paste, salt, pepper, water.
• Sauce same as Chicken Manchurian (dry style – less slurry).

Steps:

1. Blanch florets → dip in batter → deep-fry crisp.
2. Make sauce, toss florets quickly on high flame.

Tip: Don't overcook florets after tossing – keeps crunch!

4. Hakka Noodles (Veg / Chicken / Egg)

The ultimate Indo-Chinese noodle dish – garlicky, smoky, with perfect veggie crunch.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 200g hakka noodles (boiled al dente, tossed in oil)
• 2 tbsp oil, 4 garlic cloves (chopped), 1-inch ginger, 2 green chilies
• Veggies: 1 carrot (julienne), 1 capsicum, ½ cabbage, beans, spring onions
• 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1 tsp vinegar, ½ tsp pepper, salt
• Optional: 150g shredded boiled chicken or scrambled egg

Steps:

1. Boil noodles → drain → rinse cold water → toss 1 tsp oil.
2. High flame wok: oil → garlic-ginger-chilies → veggies (2-3 mins, crisp-tender).
3. Add noodles + sauces + pepper → toss 2 mins.
4. Add chicken/egg last.

Tip: Use high heat for smoky "wok hei" flavor.

5. Veg Fried Rice (Schezwan Style Option)

Simple, flavorful base to pair with any Manchurian or Chilli.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked & cooled rice (preferably day-old)
• 2 tbsp oil, garlic-ginger, veggies (carrot, beans, peas, capsicum), spring onions
• 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili sauce (more for Schezwan), vinegar, pepper

Steps:

1. High heat: oil → garlic → veggies.
2. Add rice → sauces → toss until grains separate.
3. Garnish spring onions.

Tip: For Schezwan twist, add schezwan chutney + extra chili.

6. Paneer Chilli (Dry – Vegetarian Hit)

Crispy paneer cubes in spicy sauce – restaurant favorite.

Ingredients: 250g paneer cubes, same marinade & sauce as Chilli Chicken.

Steps: Fry paneer lightly → toss in sauce.

Tip: Marinate paneer longer for better flavor absorption.

7. Chicken Lollipop

Drumettes shaped into lollipops, fried crisp, tossed in sauce or served dry.

Ingredients: 8-10 chicken lollipops, marinade (ginger-garlic, soy, chili powder, cornflour), sauce optional.

Steps: Marinate → fry → toss in chilli/garlic sauce or serve with schezwan dip.

8. Honey Chilli Potato

Crispy fries in sweet-spicy sauce – addictive starter!

Ingredients: 3 potatoes (fingers), batter (cornflour-maida), sauce: honey, chili sauce, soy, garlic, sesame seeds.

Steps: Fry potatoes → toss in sauce → garnish sesame.

9. Schezwan Fried Rice

Extra spicy, garlicky version with schezwan sauce.

Ingredients: Same as veg fried rice + 2-3 tbsp schezwan chutney.

Steps: Add schezwan sauce after veggies.

10. Manchow Soup (Veg / Chicken)

Hot, sour, garlicky soup – perfect starter.

Ingredients: Veggies (carrot, cabbage, beans), garlic, ginger, soy, chili sauce, vinegar, cornflour slurry, optional shredded chicken.

Steps: Boil stock with veggies → thicken → add sauces.

Pro Tips for Restaurant Magic at Home:

• Always use high flame/wok for stir-fries.
• Prep everything before heating oil – Indo-Chinese is fast cooking!
• Balance sweet (ketchup/sugar), sour (vinegar), salty (soy), spicy (chili sauces).
• Use cornflour slurry for glossy sauces.
• Day-old rice/noodles fry better (less sticky).

These recipes are perfect for weekend dinners, parties, or cravings. Which one are you trying first – Chilli Chicken or Hakka Noodles? Drop a comment below, and share your pics if you make them!

Happy cooking, and enjoy the desi-Chinese vibes! 🍜🔥