Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (2024)

Last Updated On: by Preeti · 6 Comments

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Gobi Manchurian Dry recipe with step-by-step photos & a video recipe. A delicious crisp-fried appetizer made with deep-fried cauliflower (gobi) sauteed in a sauce flavored with soy sauce. It is one of the popular Indo-Chinese dishes served in Chinese restaurants in India. You can serve this Cauliflower Manchurian with fried rice, or noodles.

Gobi Manchurian is a popular dish in Indo-Chinese cuisine. This cuisine is a fusion culinary style of both Indian and Chinese food and flavors. Basically, the Chinese cooking and seasoning techniques are used to prepare the dish that suits Indian taste buds.

I love Indo-Chinese dishes whether it is Chicken Manchurian, Chili Chicken, Hakka Noodles, or Chowmein. They are easy to make and taste absolutely delicious. Let's prepare this popular restaurant-style dish at home.

About this recipe

In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make the Gobi Manchurian Dry recipe. It is also known as Cauliflower Manchurian. Here, I am sharing the dry or semi-dry version of Gobi Manchurian.

“Gobi” is the Indian term for “Cauliflower”. It is also known as “Cauliflower Manchurian” & is popular street food here. It is served as a starter or snack.

Cauliflower florets are coated with the batter seasoned with red chili powder, black pepper powder, ginger-garlic paste & flour. Further, it is deep-fried and sauteed with Chinese sauces. The gobi florets (cauliflower florets) are crispy outside and soft inside.

You will enjoy each bite with a yummy blast of flavors coming from the sauces, spices, and cauliflower itself. You can serve it as a starter or a side dish with fried rice or noodles.

It tastes the same as served in Indian restaurants. You can adjust the sauces and spices as per your taste.

You may also like these other popular Indo-Chinese recipes from this website

  • Jalfrezi Chicken
  • Chili Chicken
  • Manchow Soup
  • Egg Hakka Noodles
  • Chicken Hakka Noodles
  • Chicken Chow Mein

Variations of Gobi Manchurian - Dry and With Gravy

Gobi Manchurian can be dry or with gravy. The only difference is in the cooking process.

Dry Gobi Manchurian is the most popular version. It is mostly served as starters or snacks. Crisp-fried gobi florets are stir-fried with sauces like tomato sauce and soy sauce.

On the other hand, for making Gobi Manchurian with gravy, cornflour slurry is added to make the gravy. It is served with fried rice or noodles.

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (1)Pin

Table of Contents

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Cauliflower (Gobi) - Fresh cauliflower gives the best results.
  • Seasoning - Black pepper powder and salt.
  • Kashmiri red chili powder - It gives a bright red color to the dish. Skip if you do not have it. Most street-style Gobi Manchurian looks bright red in color. They add red food color while preparing the dish. Food color is not good for health. You can achieve the same color with Kashmiri red chili powder and it is not too spicy.
  • Sauces - Tomato sauce and Soy sauce. I have used hot and sour tomato and chili sauce. You can substitute it with any tomato sauce/tomato ketchup. Also, use low sodium light soy sauce for this recipe.
  • Vinegar
  • Flour - Rice flour, cornflour or cornstarch, and all-purpose flour. If you do not have rice flour you can skip it. It gives extra crispiness to fried gobi. Simply substitute rice flour with corn flour/corn starch.
  • Veggies - Ginger, garlic, spring onions, and capsicum.
  • Oil - I have used sunflower oil. You can use any cooking oil that does not have a strong smell.

For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.

Tips to make Crispy Gobi Manchurian

  1. Cut the cauliflower into medium size florets. It should not be too small or too big.
  2. Fry the cauliflower florets in batches.
  3. While frying the cauliflower florets, do not overcrowd the oil. It will reduce the temperature of oil while frying. If the oil is not hot enough then the gobi will absorb oil while deep frying it.
  4. Stir cornflour slurry continuously until it thickens to avoid lumps.
  5. If you do not have vinegar then replace it with lemon juice.
  6. All the sauces especially soya sauce have salt in them. Take care while adding salt to the recipe.
  7. You can add red color to give it a bright red color. Few restaurants add red color to the batter while deep frying the gobi. I suggest not adding food color as it is not good for health. You will get the same result by adding Kashmiri red chili powder.
  8. Also, do not make this dish ahead of time. It should be prepared and served immediately or else it will not remain crisp.

Step by step instructions with photos

Preparations

  1. Finely chop ginger and garlic. Chop capsicum & spring onions. Keep them aside.
  2. Keep all the sauces & seasonings ready.
  3. Cut the gobi in medium size florets. Rinse it well & keep it aside.
  4. Boil water & add salt. Add the cauliflower florets & cook for 5 minutes. (Image 1 & 2)
  5. Immediately drain it into a colander & keep it aside for 5 minutes. Transfer the gobi to a mixing bowl. (Image 3 & 4)
    Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (2)Pin

Frying the cauliflower florets (gobi)

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine cauliflower florets, black pepper powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, ginger-garlic paste & vinegar. (Image 5)
  2. Next, add rice flour, cornflour, all-purpose flour (maida) & salt. Combine. (Image 6)
  3. Add water a little at a time (1-2 tbsp) & mix until the cauliflower florets are coated well with the batter. The batter should not be runny. See the batter consistency in the image below. (Image 7 & 8)
    Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (3)Pin
  4. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.
  5. Fry the cauliflower florets in hot oil until golden brown and crisp. (Image 9)
  6. Remove & keep it on a kitchen tissue to drain off the excess oil. (Image 10)
    Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (4)Pin

Making the Gobi Manchurian dry recipe

  1. Heat 2 teaspoon of oil in a heavy bottom pan over high heat.
  2. Add chopped ginger, garlic, spring onion whites & capsicum. Saute for 2 minutes. (Image 11)
  3. Add tomato sauce, soy sauce, black pepper powder, & vinegar. Stir to combine. (Image 12)
  4. Next, add the cornflour slurry to it & mix. Stir it well & cook until it thickens. (Image 13 & 14)
    Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (5)Pin
  5. Taste the Manchurian sauce and add more salt or pepper, if needed.
  6. Add spring onion greens & fried cauliflower florets. Mix it well so that cauliflower florets are coated well with the sauce.
  7. Garnish with spring onion greens. Gobi Manchurian is ready to serve.
    Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (6)Pin

FAQs

Why is my Gobi Manchurian not crispy?

There may be two reasons. First, the Gobi batter was runny which makes the Manchurian soggy. Another reason may be - the oil is not hot enough. To check whether the oil is ready or not. Add a small quantity of batter to hot oil. If it comes up quickly without browning it is ready. If it comes up quickly and browned then the oil is too hot. Reduce the temperature and check again.

How long does Gobi Manchurian last in the fridge?

Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. It stays good for 5 days. Reheat in microwave and serve. Store it within 2 hours of making the dish.

How to make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply substitute all-purpose flour with corn starch/corn flour. Also, substitute soy sauce with tamari. The recipe is gluten-free. Tomato sauce is gluten-free but it is better to check the nutrition label.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (7)Pin

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5 from 3 votes

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian)

Gobi Manchurian Dry recipe with step-by-step photos & a video recipe. A delicious crisp-fried appetizer made with deep-fried cauliflower (gobi) sauteed in a sauce flavored with soy sauce. It is one of the popular Indo-Chinese dishes served in Chinese restaurants in India. You can serve this Cauliflower Manchurian with fried rice, or noodles.

Course Snack, Starter

Cuisine Indo-Chinese

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 280kcal

Author Preeti

Equipment

  • Wok or Heavy bottom pan

Ingredients

For frying the Gobi

  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon vinegar optional
  • ¼ cup rice flour
  • ¼ cup cornflour
  • ¼ cup All-purpose flour (Maida)
  • salt to taste
  • Oil for frying

For making the Gobi Manchurian

  • 4 cloves of garlic , finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ginger , finely chopped
  • 2 spring onion whites , finely chopped
  • ¼ cup capsicum , finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon tomato & chili sauce (or use tomato ketchup)
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon soya sauce (low sodium, light soy sauce)
  • salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
  • spring onion greens

To make cornflour slurry

  • 1 teaspoon cornflour
  • 3 tablespoon water

Instructions

Preparations

  • Finely chop ginger, and garlic. Chop capsicum & spring onions. Keep it aside.

  • Keep all the sauces & seasonings ready.

  • Cut the gobi in medium size florets. Rinse it well & keep it aside.

  • Boil water & add salt. Add the cauliflower florets & cook for 5 minutes. Immediately drain it into a colander & keep it aside for 5 minutes. Transfer the gobi to a mixing bowl.

Frying the cauliflower florets (gobi)

  • In the mixing bowl, combine cauliflower florets, black pepper powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, ginger garlic paste & vinegar.

  • Add rice flour, cornflour, all-purpose flour (maida) & salt. Combine.

  • Add water little by little (1-2 tbsp) & mix until the cauliflower florets are coated well with the batter. The batter should not be runny.

  • Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium heat.

  • Fry the cauliflower florets in hot oil until golden brown.

  • Remove & keep it on a kitchen tissue to drain off the excess oil.

Making the Gobi Manchurian dry recipe

  • Heat 2 teaspoon oil in the pan at high flame.

  • Add chopped ginger, garlic, spring onion whites & capsicum. Saute for 2 minutes.

  • Add tomato sauce, soya sauce, black pepper powder, & vinegar. Stir it.

  • Next, add the cornflour slurry & mix.

  • Let it come to a boil.

  • Taste the Manchurian sauce and add more salt or pepper, if needed.

  • Add spring onion greens & fried cauliflower florets. Mix it well so that cauliflower florets are coated well with the sauce.

  • Garnish with spring onion greens. Gobi Manchurian is ready.

  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Video

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (8)

Notes

  1. Cut the cauliflower into medium size florets. It should not be too small or too big.
  2. Fry the cauliflower florets in batches.
  3. While frying the cauliflower florets, do not overcrowd the oil. It will reduce the temperature of oil while frying. If the oil is not hot enough then the gobi will absorb oil while deep frying it.
  4. Stir cornflour slurry continuously until it thickens to avoid lumps.
  5. If you do not have vinegar then replace it with lemon juice.
  6. All the sauces especially soya sauce have salt in them. Take care while adding salt to the recipe.
  7. You can add red color to give it a bright red color. Few restaurants add red color to the batter while deep frying the gobi. I suggest not adding food color as it is not good for health. You will get the same result by adding Kashmiri red chili powder.
  8. Also, do not make this dish ahead of time. It should be prepared and served immediately or else it will not remain crisp.

You may also like:

Hyderabadi biryani (pakki biryani) | How to make Hyderabadi biryaniChicken Kolhapuri Recipe (Kolhapuri Chicken Curry)Verki puri recipe | Layered puri recipeGarlic Chicken Curry | Lehsuni Murgh

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Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (9)Pin

Gobi Manchurian Dry Recipe (Cauliflower Manchurian) (2024)

FAQs

Why is gobi manchurian not crispy? ›

Any moisture in the gobi will cook it to soft and not crisp. Heat up the oil for deep frying on a medium heat. Meanwhile make the batter by adding cornstarch, all-purpose flour, red chilli powder, black pepper and salt to a mixing bowl. Add the gobi florets to the batter (in batches), coat them well.

What is gobi manchurian dry made of? ›

Boil cauliflower florets in salted water over medium flame for 3-4 minutes. After boiling, drain excess water and pat dry florets on tissue paper. Mix maida, corn flour, 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste and salt in a bowl.

What is the difference between Gobi and Manchurian? ›

In Hindi 'Gobi' means Cauliflower. 'Manchurian' refers to the Manchurian sauce which is made with sautéed spring onions (scallions), capsicum (bell pepper), green chillies, ginger and garlic in a mix of soy sauce, tomato ketchup and chilli sauce.

What chemical was used in gobi manchurian? ›

Rhodamine – B is a chemical colouring agent reportedly used in textile dyeing and the paper industry. The chemical looks green in colour, and upon adding it to the liquid, it turns light red and pink. It was widely used in making Gobi Manchurian to bring an attractive colour to it.

Why Gobi is banned in Karnataka? ›

Similarly, the unsafe samples of gobi manchurian had tartrazine, sunset yellow and carmoisine. A ban is already in place over the use of colouring agent rhodamine-b, a suspected carcinogenic substance.

Is Gobi Manchurian junk food? ›

Gobi Manchurian is often considered a healthier choice as compared to the traditional maida-Manchurians. Although it is certainly healthier than the traditional recipe of Manchurian, it might not be as healthy as everyone thinks it is. Gobi Manchurian as the name suggests is made from cauliflower.

Is Manchurian dry healthy? ›

It is worth noting that plenty of sauce means high calories, high-sodium and high amount of refined flour. So dry and semi-dry versions are better choices for health conscious people. Vegetable Manchurian makes for a great dish for parties, family dinners and weekend meals.

What can I use instead of cornflour in Gobi Manchurian? ›

If you are talking about coating the balls / cauliflower florets,
  • The cornflour batter is used to seal holes AND give a crisp surface.
  • Rice flour will give crispness but not seal holes (the balls will become soggy after glazing)
  • Mix maida with rice flour half and half in the batter to seal the holes.
Oct 19, 2020

How healthy is Gobi Manchurian? ›

So while Gobi Manchurian can be a tasty dish, it may not be the healthiest option due to its high-calorie content and high amounts of sodium and sugar. However, modifications can be made to the recipe to make it healthier without compromising its flavour.

Which country invented Gobi Manchurian? ›

It is said to have been invented in 1975 by Nelson Wang, a cook at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, when a customer asked him to create a new dish, different from what was available on the menu.

Why is cauliflower called Gobi? ›

Borrowed from Hindi गोभी (gobhī), from Portuguese couve (“cabbage”), from Latin caulis. Doublet of caulis, cole, and kale.

Does Gobi Manchurian have MSG? ›

No matter which side of the gobi manchurian debate you took after Mapusa in Goa recently banned the dish, which features batter-fried cauliflower coated with a hot and sour sauce, you have to accept that Indo-Chinese cuisine has permeated the nation's culinary profile as unobtrusively as its legendary flavour enhancer ...

What do we call Manchurian in English? ›

/ (mænˈtʃʊərɪən) / adjective. of or relating to Manchuria, a region of NE China, or its inhabitants.

Is Manchurian made from cauliflower? ›

Gobi Manchurian is an Indian-Chinese dish beloved in India and among Indian food lovers everywhere. It features battered and deep-fried cauliflower (gobi) tossed in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, chili sauce, and a generous amount of aromatics (garlic, ginger, chili peppers, scallions, etc.).

Does Manchurian contain vinegar? ›

Making manchurian sauce

Stir in the corn flour with 3 tbsp water in a small bowl. To another small bowl, add vinegar,soya sauce, tomato sauce (optional) and red chilli sauce. Mix all of these and set aside.

Why is my Manchurian soft? ›

Using water will make the balls wet and will not be crisp. To make Manchurian Veg Balls, always add maida or corn flour to the batter. Corn flour is generally used to add crispness to dishes. Make sure that corn flour should always be used in the ratio of 2:1.

Why is my fried cauliflower mushy? ›

The secret to giving cauliflower the perfect texture when battering and frying, is to not parboil it. When you fry cauliflower with batter, it also cooks the cauliflower. So if you parboil beforehand, you will end up with mushy cauliflower.

Is cornstarch used in Manchurian? ›

You can, of course use All purpose flour/Maida and Cornstarch (¼ cup each) if you don't want to add Besan/Gram flour and Rice flour while making the Manchurian balls. If you want to serve a dry version of Veg-Manchurian, reduce the quantity of water. Use ½ cup of water and ½ tbsp of cornstarch.

What is the difference between Gobi 65 and gobi manchurian? ›

Gobi Manchurian is an Indo-Chinese recipe that is a very famous food in India. The Manchurian is the gravy version. Gobi 65 is the dry version. The story goes that spiced chicken was served as the 65th menu item in a military canteen.

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