How to Make Manchurian Recipe – Easy Indo-Chinese Starter (UK Friendly)

 Learn how to make restaurant-style Manchurian at home with this step-by-step recipe. Vegetarian, crispy, and packed with flavour – perfect for Indo-Chinese food lovers in the UK!

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Introduction

Manchurian is a signature dish from Indo-Chinese cuisine that combines deep-fried vegetable or chicken balls with a bold, spicy sauce made using soy, garlic, ginger, and chillies. Whether served dry as a starter or with gravy alongside fried rice or noodles, Manchurian is a universal crowd-pleaser.

This guide will show you how to make veg Manchurian at home, with UK-friendly ingredients and pro tips for flavour and crispiness. Whether you're cooking for yourself, guests, or for your food blog audience, this guide includes everything from ingredients, variations, health options, and storage tips, all written in British English and optimised for Google SEO.

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Table of Contents

1. What Is Manchurian?

2. Types of Manchurian (Dry vs Gravy vs Chicken)

3. Ingredients (UK Available)

4. Equipment Needed

5. Step-by-Step Veg Manchurian Recipe

6. Tips for Crispy Balls

7. Variations (Gluten-Free, Air Fryer, Chicken)

8. Serving Ideas

9. Storage & Reheating Tips

10. Final Thoughts

11. FAQs

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1. What Is Manchurian?

Manchurian is a fusion Indo-Chinese dish that originated in India, not China. It typically features fried vegetable or meat balls tossed in a tangy, spicy, soy-based sauce with ginger, garlic, spring onions, and chillies.

There are two popular versions:

Dry Manchurian – Ideal as a party starter or snack

Gravy Manchurian – Served with fried rice or noodles as a main course

It’s one of the most popular Indo-Chinese dishes in India and now enjoyed globally—including in the UK.

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2. Types of Manchurian

Veg Manchurian: Made using cabbage, carrot, capsicum, and flour-based balls

Chicken Manchurian: Non-vegetarian version using minced chicken

Paneer Manchurian: Cubed Indian cottage cheese in Manchurian sauce

Cauliflower (Gobi) Manchurian: Crispy cauliflower florets tossed in sauce

This blog focuses on Veg Manchurian, which is also vegetarian-friendly and ideal for home cooks.

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3. Ingredients (UK Available)

All ingredients can be found in UK supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, or Asian stores.

🥬 For Manchurian Balls:

1 cup grated cabbage

½ cup grated carrot

¼ cup finely chopped spring onions

½ tsp ginger paste

½ tsp garlic paste

2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)

2 tbsp plain flour (all-purpose)

Salt & pepper to taste

Oil for deep frying

🌶️ For Manchurian Sauce:

1 tbsp oil

1 tbsp chopped garlic

1 tbsp chopped ginger

1 green chilli, finely chopped

¼ cup onion, chopped or sliced

2 tbsp spring onions (green part)

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tsp vinegar

1 tsp chilli sauce (adjust to taste)

½ tsp sugar

Salt to taste

Optional: cornflour slurry (1 tsp cornflour + 2 tbsp water for gravy)

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4. Equipment Needed

Mixing bowl

Grater

Frying pan or wok

Slotted spoon

Paper towel or tray

Chopping board and knife

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5. Step-by-Step Veg Manchurian Recipe (Dry Version)

✅ Step 1: Prepare the Veg Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine grated cabbage, carrot, spring onions, ginger-garlic paste, salt, pepper, cornflour, and plain flour.

2. Mix well to form a sticky dough. No water needed – the moisture from vegetables is enough.

✅ Step 2: Shape into Balls

Roll the mixture into small balls, about the size of a golf ball.

✅ Step 3: Deep Fry the Balls

1. Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat.

2. Fry the balls in batches until golden brown and crisp.

3. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

✅ Step 4: Make the Manchurian Sauce

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok.

2. Add chopped garlic, ginger, and green chilli. Sauté for 30 seconds.

3. Add onions and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes.

4. Add soy sauce, ketchup, vinegar, chilli sauce, sugar, and salt.

5. Stir and let the sauce simmer for a minute.

✅ Step 5: Toss & Serve

Add the fried veg balls to the sauce and toss well on high heat.

Garnish with chopped spring onions.

Want Gravy Manchurian? Add ½ cup water and cornflour slurry to the sauce, boil until thick, then add the veg balls.

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6. Tips for Extra Crispiness

Don’t add water to the veg mixture.

Make sure to fry on medium-high heat, not low.

Use fresh cornflour for best results.

For double crispiness, fry the balls twice.

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7. Variations

🔄 Gluten-Free Manchurian

Use gram flour (besan) or gluten-free flour mixes.

Choose Tamari instead of regular soy sauce (which contains gluten).

🔄 Air Fryer Version

Spray shaped balls with oil and air fry at 200°C for 15–18 minutes.

Toss in sauce just before serving.

🔄 Chicken Manchurian

Use minced chicken instead of vegetables.

Add egg for binding and follow the same frying and sauce process.

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8. Serving Ideas

Serve dry Manchurian as an appetiser or snack.

Pair gravy Manchurian with:

Egg fried rice

Hakka noodles

Steamed jasmine rice

Add sesame seeds or coriander for garnish.

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9. Storage & Reheating Tips

Store fried balls and sauce separately in the fridge.

Reheat balls in an oven or air fryer to retain crispness.

Reheat sauce on the hob and then mix before serving.

Best enjoyed within 2 days of preparation.

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10. Final Thoughts

Manchurian is the ultimate Indo-Chinese comfort food—crispy, saucy, spicy, and easy to prepare at home using ingredients easily found in the UK. Whether you're throwing a party, cooking for your family, or just treating yourself, this dish is a guaranteed winner.

With this step-by-step guide, you’ll never need to order takeaway Manchurian again. Make it fresh, customise it your way, and enjoy the authentic taste at home.

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11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I freeze Manchurian balls?

Yes! Fry them first, let them cool, then freeze. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Q. Which oil is best for frying?

Use sunflower or vegetable oil for a neutral taste.

Q. Can I make this dish vegan?

Absolutely. The recipe is plant-based as it is. Just ensure sauces are vegan-certified.

Q. Is Manchurian spicy?

It’s mildly spicy. Adjust chillies and sauces to suit your taste.

Q. Where can I buy Indo-Chinese ingredients in the UK?

Visit your local Asian supermarket or shop online at Spices of India, Red Rickshaw, or Amazon UK.

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📌 Try It Today

This homemade Manchurian recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and guaranteed to impress your guests or

 family!

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--- write ✍️ by Parmod vlogs.