Schezwan Noodles Recipe

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This easy recipe for spicy and tangy Schezwan noodles is completely vegan, and delicious to prepare as a tasty lunch or dinner. It features stir fried vegetables and noodles tossed with a homemade Schezwan sauce that’s got a kick of heat and just the right hint of sweetness. Follow my step-by-step instructions with photos and video to make a batch tonight!

schezwan noodles in a black rimmed cream bowl with bamboo chopsticks at the side and a small bowl of schezwan sauce placed on a checkered red and white napkin

What is Schezwan Noodles made of?

If you haven’t had them before, Schezwan noodles recipe is a very popular Indo Chinese dish. They usually have a mix of bold spicy and sweet flavors, and include either all veggies or both veggies and some kind of protein, stir-fried with the noodles.

Schezwan noodles are often enjoyed as a street food snack, but are super easy and delicious to make at home whenever you have a craving.

The foundation of the recipe is the homemade Schezwan Sauce, which is so amazing on any number of savory dishes.

It adds a yummy sweet and spicy kick as a dip or sauce on fried rice, or with pakoras and veg momos!

Unlike the traditional Chinese sichuan or szechuan noodles that has red chilli oil and is served warm or cold, schezwan noodles is made with schezwan sauce and is served hot.

schezwan noodles in a black and cream bowl with a few noodle strands held between bamboo chopsticks placed on top of bowl on a checkered red and white napkin

From start to finish this vegetarian and vegan-friendly meal only takes about 40 minutes to make.

It is terrific to enjoy as a quick weeknight dinner or for a leisurely lunch. Once you give this recipe a try I’m sure it will be one of your regular favorites.

Plus, you are going to love using the homemade Schezwan sauce as a dip or topping for all kinds of tasty dishes!

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Schezwan Noodles

Cooking the Noodles

1. First, per the noodle package directions, bring the recommended amount of water to a boil in a large pot or pan. Add a pinch of salt for flavor, and a few drops of oil to keep the noodles from sticking together.

boiling water in a black pan

2. Once the water is to a full boil, add the noodles (150 grams). I prefer to use hakka noodles, but any thin rice or wheat flour noodles will work well for this recipe.

adding noodles to water

3. There is no need to break the noodles when added to the boiling water. Just be sure they are completely submerged in the water.

noodles submerged in hot water

4. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, stirring occasionally.

cooking noodles in bubbling hot water

5. Cook the noodles until they are al dente.

some cooked noodles lifted with a silver fork

6. Immediately drain the noodles in a colander.

cooked noodles in a strainer

7. Rinse the noodles in cool running water. This step stops the cooking process and removes the sticky starch.

rinsing cooked noodles with fresh water in the strainer

8. While still in the colander, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil to noodles. Any neutral oil works or for a smoky flavor, use toasted sesame oil.

adding oil to noodles

9. Toss the noodles gently, so that the oil evenly coats the noodles. This helps to get rid of stickiness from the noodles. Cover the colander with a plate and set aside. Let the noodles cool completely before you begin making schezwan noodles recipe.

tossing noodles

Stir Frying Veggies

10. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of oil (any neutral tasting oil) in a pan or wok on medium heat. A wok or pot with a heavy bottom works best to get great cook on the veggies without burning.

Once the oil is hot add ½ teaspoon of finely chopped garlic and sauté for a few seconds.

sauté garlic in oil in a black frying pan

11. When the garlic is fragrant, increase the flame to medium or high heat and add ¼ cup of chopped spring onions (scallion whites). Stir fry for about half to 1 minute.

TIP: If you are using a non-stick pan, then do all the stir-frying on medium heat. 

add spring onions

12. The add ¼ cup of finely chopped french beans.

added french beans

13. Keep stir-frying, stirring continuously, on a medium to high heat for about 3 to 4 minutes.

stir frying french beans

14. Now add the remaining veggies:

  • ¼ cup finely chopped carrots
  • ¼ cup of capsicum (green bell pepper)
  • ½ cup of finely chopped cabbage
  • 1 cup chopped or sliced mushrooms.
    You can also add zucchini, Chinese cabbage, or whatever vegetables you have on hand. You want about 1 ½ to 2 cups of veggies total for this recipe.
added cabbage, carrots, green bell pepper, mushrooms

15. Continue to stir fry the veggies on a medium to high heat to get that great smoky flavor. Make sure you stir constantly so that the vegetables brown evenly without burning.

stir frying veggies and mushrooms

16. Cook for about 7 to 8 minutes (time will vary with the kind of pan and intensity of flame or heat), until the edges of the veggies start to slightly brown. Depending on how crunchy or soft you like your vegetables, feel free to stir fry for more or less time.

stir fried and lightly browned edges of the veggies

17. Now reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of homemade or store bought Schezwan sauce, salt and ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper.

TIP: Add more of the sauce for an even spicier noodle dish.

schezwan sauce, salt and black pepper in the pan on top of the stir fried vegetables

Making Schezwan Noodles

18. Add the cooked noodles one handful at a time, stirring gently to incorporate without mushing the noodles.

cooked noodles added

19. Increase the flame back up to high, and continue to stir fry and toss the noodles for a couple of minutes until the Schezwan sauce coats all of the noodles.

noodles mixed evenly to make schezwan noodles

20. Add 1 teaspoon of either rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and toss again. This hit of tangy flavor really brings together the spiciness and sweetness of the Schezwan noodles with veggies.

adding rice vinegar in a steel measuring spoon to the schezwan noodles

21. Lastly, stir in a tablespoon of chopped spring onion greens.

spring onion greens added on top of the schezwan noodles

Serving and Storage Suggestions

22. Enjoy schezwan noodles hot in bowls or on plates. You can also serve extra Schezwan sauce on the side for people who want to add even more heat.

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 days. You can even easily double or triple the batch to make for small parties or get togethers.

schezwan noodles in a black and cream bowl with a few noodle strands held between bamboo chopsticks placed on top of bowl on a checkered red and white napkin
Tips

Expert Tips

Ingredient Variations

  • Noodles: Any kind of flour noodles work well here – be it instant, ramen, udon, hakka, whole wheat, chow mein, soba (buckwheat) or rice noodles. You can also make the recipe with flat flour or rice noodles.
  • Veggies: Like with any recipe which has mix veggies, you can always change the kind or type of vegetables you add in. Zucchini, carrots, green beans, asparagus, bok choy, chinese cabbage, broccoli, bell pepper, baby corn, steamed corn or green peas and mushrooms like button, cremini, oyster and shiitake are some great options.
  • Protein: For an added plant based protein, include some tofu or seitan. You can also add some boiled edamame beans or green peas.
  • Schezwan sauce: Either make your own or use your favorite brand of schezwan sauce. Being a star ingredient in the recipe, the schezwan sauce can make or break your dish.

Cooking Notes

  • Smoky flavors: To get the smoky flavor, stir fry the veggies on a high heat. If the veggies start to getting burnt, then you can reduce the heat. If you use a good wok or pan with a heavy base, you won’t have the vegetables getting burnt. Make sure to stir often while frying which ensures that the vegetables are browned evenly.
  • Pan or wok: A carbon steel wok or a Chinese wok is the best to work with when making stir fried recipes. A frying pan or a cast iron skillet or wok is also a good option. Whichever wok or pan you use, make sure it is well seasoned and is heavy or has a thick bottom, so that the vegetables do not burn when stir frying at a high heat.
  • Cooking noodles: You need to cook the noodles al dente meaning they should have a slight bite to them when eaten. If you make them soft, later on stir frying they will cook more and end up becoming sticky or lumpy. Drain the water thoroughly from the noodles after cooking them so that they do not become a mush while stir frying.

FAQs

What is the difference between Hakka noodles and schezwan noodles?

Both are stir-fried noodles from the fusion Indian Chinese cuisine. Schezwan noodles recipe is made with the spicy schezwan sauce and Hakka Noodles is made with soy sauce. Hakka Noodles is more like your simple stir-fried noodles that is not spicy or pungent, while schezwan noodles is spicy.

Can I skip vinegar in this schezwan noodles recipe?

Yes you can do that. A slight tang or sourness will be missing, but you can sub lemon juice in place of vinegar if you prefer.

Can I add soy sauce with the schezwan sauce?

Yes of course, you can add about 1 to 2 teaspoons of soy sauce.

Why my noodles are sticky and mushy?

If your stir fried schezwan noodles, look sticky or mushy, it means that you have either cooked them too much or you have not strained them well of the water or you have added hot noodles while stir frying.  

Few More Favorite Noodles Recipes!

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schezwan noodles in a black rimmed cream bowl with bamboo chopsticks at the side on a checkered red and white napkin

Schezwan Noodles Recipe

This easy recipe for spicy and tangy Schezwan noodles is completely vegan, and delicious to prepare as a tasty lunch or dinner. It features stir fried vegetables and noodles tossed with homemade Schezwan sauce.
4.89 from 36 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine Indian Street Food, Indo Chinese
Course Main Course, Snacks
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 2
Units

Ingredients

For cooking noodles

  • 150 grams noodles hakka, instant or chow mein noodles
  • 1 to 2 pinches salt or as required
  • 4 cups water – to cook noodles
  • 2 to 3 drops oil – to be added while heating water
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons oil – to coat the noodles

Other ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons oil – for stir frying
  • ¼ cup chopped spring onion whites (scallion whites) – reserve the greens for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped garlic or 2 to 3 small to medium garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup finely chopped french beans
  • ¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper
  • ¼ cup finely chopped carrots
  • ½ cup finely chopped cabbage
  • 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon Schezwan Sauce or as required
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon black pepper powder or as required
  • salt as required
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • 1 to 1.5 tablespoons spring onion greens (scallion greens)

Instructions
 

Cooking noodles

  • Boil 4 cups of water in a pot or pan with a pinch of salt for flavor, and a few drops of oil to keep the noodles from sticking together.
  • Add the noodles in the hot boiling water.
  • Cook the noodles according to the package instructions.
  • When the noodles are just about cooked, meaning al dente, then strain the noodles in a colander.
  • Rinse the noodles in fresh water. This stops their cooking process and removes the starch.
  • Add oil to noodles. Toss the noodles gently, so that the oil coats the noodles evenly. This helps to get rid of stickiness from the noodles.
  • Cover the colander with a plate and set aside. Let the noodles cool completely before you add them to the stir fried veggies.

Stir frying veggies

  • Heat oil in a pan or wok. On medium heat, add the garlic and saute for a few seconds.
  • Increase the heat and then add the finely chopped spring onion whites (scallion whites). Stir fry on a medium to high heat for about half to 1 minute. For a nonstick pan, stir fry at medium heat.
  • Add the french beans. Keep stir frying, stirring often on medium to high heat for about 3 to 4 minutes. For a nonstick pan, stir fry at medium heat.
  • Add the remaining veggies – finely chopped carrots, capsicum (green bell pepper), cabbage and mushrooms. Continue to stir fry the veggies on medium to high heat stirring often.
  • Stir fry for about 7 to 8 minutes until the edges of the veggies start to slightly brown. You can cut down on the stir frying time, if you prefer half cooked or more crunchy veggies.

Making schezwan noodles

  • Now reduce the flame to medium heat and add schezwan sauce, salt and black pepper.
  • Add the cooked noodles in batches. Toss, mix and stir fry.
  • Increase the heat and keep on tossing and stir frying the noodles for a couple of minutes until the schezwan sauce coats the noodles evenly.
  • Add rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar and mix well. Check the seasonings and add more schezwan sauce, black pepper and salt if needed.
  • Add the chopped spring onions to schezwan noodles. Mix.
  • Serve schezwan noodles.

Serving and storage suggestions

  • Enjoy eating schezwan noodles hot or warm. You can also serve extra Schezwan sauce on the side for people who want to add even more heat.
  • Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 to 2 days. You can even easily double or triple the batch to make for small parties or get togethers.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Variations

  • Noodles: You can make schezwan noodles with type of noodles – instant, ramen, udon, hakka, whole wheat, chow mein, soba (buckwheat) or rice noodles. You can also make the recipe with flat flour or rice noodles.
  • Veggies: In the recipe you can always include any kind or type of vegetables. Zucchini, carrots, green beans, asparagus, bok choy, chinese cabbage, broccoli, bell pepper, baby corn, steamed corn or green peas and mushrooms like button, cremini, oyster and shiitake are some great options.
  • Protein: For an added plant based protein, add some tofu or seitan. You can also add some boiled edamame beans or green peas.
  • Schezwan sauce: Either make your own or use your favorite brand of schezwan sauce. Being a star ingredient in the recipe, the schezwan sauce can make or break your dish.

Cooking Notes

  • Smoky flavors: To get the smoky flavor, stir fry the veggies on a high heat. If the veggies start to getting burnt, then you can reduce the heat. If you use a good wok or pan with a heavy base, you won’t have the vegetables getting burnt. Make sure to stir often while frying which ensures that the vegetables are browned evenly. For a non-stick pan, stir fry on medium heat. 
  • Pan or wok: A carbon steel wok or a Chinese wok is the best to work with when making stir fried recipes. A frying pan or a cast iron skillet or wok is also a good option. Whichever wok or pan you use, make sure it is well seasoned and is heavy or has a thick bottom, so that the vegetables do not burn when stir frying at a high heat.
  • Cooking noodles: You need to cook the noodles al dente meaning they should have a slight bite to them when eaten. If you make them soft, later on stir frying they will cook more and end up becoming sticky or lumpy. Drain the water thoroughly from the noodles after cooking them so that they do not become a mush while stir frying.
  • Sticky noodles: If your stir fried schezwan noodles, look sticky or mushy, it means that you have either cooked them too much or you have not strained them well or you have added hot noodles while making the dish. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Schezwan Noodles Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 475 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 1629mg71%
Potassium 512mg15%
Carbohydrates 65g22%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 3010IU60%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 3mg15%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin B12 1µg17%
Vitamin C 28mg34%
Vitamin D 1µg7%
Vitamin E 7mg47%
Vitamin K 52µg50%
Calcium 65mg7%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 49µg12%
Iron 2mg11%
Magnesium 62mg16%
Phosphorus 210mg21%
Zinc 2mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This schezwan noodles recipe post from the blog archives (July 2014) has been republished and updated on 13 February 2021.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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36 Comments

  1. I added stir fried chicken and garlic salt instead of salt and voila…..super hit !!! Thank you.5 stars

  2. I made schezwan noodles but the colour was different (very slightly orange) than yours. I also added 1 teaspoon extra but it didn’t helped me.

    1. nikhil, the color largely depends on the variety and type of red chilies used. some red chilies like kashmiri red chilies or byadagi red chilies give a nice deep reddish or reddish orange color. as long as the taste is good, color should not make much of a difference if making for family or friends.

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