• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sharmis Passions
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baby Food
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Baby Food
  • About
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • About
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Recent Posts / Soya Chunks Fry | Meal Maker Varuval

    Soya Chunks Fry | Meal Maker Varuval

    Last Updated On: Apr 11, 2025 by Sharmilee J

    4
    Shares

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Soya Chunks Fry, also called Meal Maker Fry, is a South Indian-style dish made by cooking soya chunks with onions, tomatoes, ground coconut, and a few whole spices. It’s a versatile and protein-rich dish that’s easy to make and works well as a side for many dishes.

    soya chunks fry served with phulka

    This soya chunk fry recipe is so simple and I make it whenever I want a quick, no-veggie side dish or to roll into a wrap with phulkas. It’s my go-to dish when I’m out of ideas. This recipe works well as a dry curry, side dish, or even an appetizer. I often pack it into lunchboxes too — it stays fresh and tasty for hours.

    Jump to:
    • About Soya Chunks Fry
    • Soya Chunks Fry Ingredients
    • How to make Soya Chunks Fry Recipe Step by Step
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving and Storage
    • FAQS
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    About Soya Chunks Fry

    Meal Maker Fry is such a life-saver recipe, when you want something filling and protein-packed without meat. Soya chunks absorb flavors very well, and this dish holds the masala beautifully. The tempering of curry leaves and fennel seeds adds a lovely aroma to the dish, and the fresh coconut, a coarsely ground masala made with pepper, garlic, and fennel gives the fry a home-style flavor that coats every chunk perfectly.

    This fry is great when you don’t have vegetables at home — soya chunks alone are enough to make it tasty and wholesome. You can even make it slightly moist for rice or keep it completely dry for wraps and rolls. It’s also a great make-ahead dish — the flavors get better after resting. If you haven’t tried soya chunks this way before, this fry is a great place to start.

    There’s something so satisfying about recipe that comes with a memory. I still remember the first time I had this soya chunks fry at my grandaunt’s house in Thanjavur. She made us a full course meal, but this dish stood out — it was spicy, chewy, and full of flavor, and I loved it.

    She made it with the bigger variety of soya chunks and it tasted so good by itself that I was skeptical whether it was a side dish or a starter , yes it was finger lickingly good. As soon as I reached here I tried it immediately else I might forget the recipe, symptoms of ageing you see.

    soya chunks fry served with phulka

    Soya Chunks Fry Ingredients

    • Soya chunks – This is the key ingredient, use good quality soya chunks for better results. You can use bigger or smaller variety soya chunks as per your liking.
    • Oil, fennel seeds powder, curry leaves – Added for tempering, gives aroma.
    • Onion, tomato – These give base masala to the fry, also adds slight sweetness and tanginess to the dish.
    • Ginger garlic paste – Adds depth and aroma.
    • Red chili powder, garam masala – Add heat and spice to the fry.
    • Water – Use little water, just a sprinkle for blending the masala.
    • Coconut – Coconut adds texture, taste and volume..
    • Garlic, fennel seeds, whole pepper – Adds flavor, punch, richness, warmth to the fry.

    Similar Recipes

    • Cauliflower pepper fry
    • Paneer Fry
    • Mushroom Fry
    • Butter Garlic Mushroom
    • Mushroom Pepper Fry

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Tastes rich and spicy.
    • It’s a great alternative to meat-based starters.
    • Soya chunks are full of protein and keep you full for a longer time.
    • This is a versatile recipe – can be used as a starter, side dish, or filling.
    • Ground coconut masala adds flavor and texture.
    • It’s a perfect recipe when you don’t have vegetables.
    • Quick to make and works well for lunchboxes.

    How to make Soya Chunks Fry Recipe Step by Step

    1.Boil water in a pan till it bubbles up rigorously. Switch off and add the soya chunks and let it aside for few minutes for it to grow in size.

    how to make soya chunks fry step1

    2.Then rinse soya chunks in cold water at least twice to get rid of the raw smell. Drain water and Set aside. Grind the ingredients listed under ‘to grind’ to a coarse mixture without adding water, Keep aside.

    how to make soya chunks fry step2

    3.In a pan heat oil – add items listed under ‘to temper’ then add ginger garlic paste, onion, tomato and sauté till tomatoes turn mushy and raw smell leaves. Then add the coconut mixture along with red chili powder and garam masala powder and required salt.

    how to make soya chunks fry step3

    4.Sauté for 2mins then add soya chunks and sprinkle little water for the gravy to blend well with the soya. Keep frying till it becomes dry and is reddish golden in color. Add oil if it sticks to the bottom of the pan.

    how to make soya chunks fry step4

    Enjoy with rice or phulka!

    soya chunks fry rolled in phulka

    Expert Tips

    • Soak soya chunks in hot water until soft, then rinse 2–3 times in cold water to remove the raw smell.
    • You can add a teaspoon of milk while boiling to reduce the strong soya smell.
    • Grind the coconut mixture coarsely without water for a dry masala.
    • Use freshly grated coconut for the best flavor and taste.
    • Cook this on a low flame after adding soya chunks, it allows the flavor to absorb and get a dry, roasted finish.
    • You can cut the large soya chunks into halves for better masala coating.
    • You can add slit green chili if you want it spicier.
    • Use plenty of curry leaves and freshly ground pepper for that authentic South Indian flavor.

    Serving and Storage

    Serve soya chunks fry hot with rice varieties, rotis, or roll it into a wrap with phulkas.

    You can store leftovers in the fridge for 1–2 days.
    For reheating you can either add a splash of water or oil and sauté it on low flame before serving.

    FAQS

    1.Do I have to soak soya chunks?

    Yes, you must soak soya chunks in hot water until soft, then rinse well to remove the raw smell.

    2. Can I skip coconut?

    Coconut adds richness, but you can skip or replace with cashew powder.

    3. Can I add other veggies?

    Yes, you can either add capsicum or small pieces of cooked potato.

    4. How do I make it spicier?

    You can either add chili powder or green chili to the coconut masala for a spicier taste.

    5. Can I use frozen coconut?

    Yes, you can grind it without water for the right texture.

    6. Can I try this recipe with chicken?

    Yes, you can try it with chicken, but directly add the chicken to the onion tomato base, and cook the chicken accordingly.

    soya chunks fry served with phulka

    If you have any more questions about this Soya Chunks Fry Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this Soya Chunks Fry Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

    14464211250 d8908fa712 o
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Soya Chunks Fry Recipe | Meal Maker Fry Recipe

    Soya Chunks Fry, also called Meal Maker Fry, is a South Indian-style dish made by cooking soya chunks with onions, tomatoes, ground coconut, and a few whole spices. It's a versatile and protein-rich dish that’s easy to make and works well as a side for many dishes.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Servings2
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup soya chunks
    • 1 medium big onion finely chopped
    • 1 medium tomato roughly chopped
    • 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
    • 1/4 teaspoon red chilli powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder
    • water as needed
    • salt to taste

    To Grind :

    • 3 tablespoon coconut
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
    • 1/2 teaspoon whole pepper
    • 1 green chilli optional

    To Temper:

    • 3 tablespoon oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds powder
    • a sprig curry leaves

    Instructions

    • Boil water in a pan till it bubbles up rigorously.
    • Switch off and add the soya chunks and let it aside for few mins for it to grow in size.
    • Then rinse soya chunks in cold water at least twice to get rid of the raw smell. Drain water and Set aside.
    • Grind the ingredients listed under ‘to grind’ to a coarse mixture without adding water, Keep aside.
    • In a pan heat oil – add items listed under ‘to temper’ then add ginger garlic paste, onion, tomato and saute till tomatoes turn mushy and raw smell leaves.
    • Then add the coconut mixture along with red chilli powder and garam masala powder and required salt.
    • Saute for 2mins then add soya chunks and sprinkle little water for the gravy to blend well with the soya.
    • Keep frying till it becomes dry and is reddish golden in color.
    • Add oil if it sticks to the bottom of the pan.
    • Serve hot or warm.

    Notes

    • Soak soya chunks in hot water until soft, then rinse 2–3 times in cold water to remove the raw smell.
    • You can add a teaspoon of milk while boiling to reduce the strong soya smell.
    • Grind the coconut mixture coarsely without water for a dry masala.
    • Use freshly grated coconut for the best flavor and taste.
    • Cook this on a low flame after adding soya chunks, it allows the flavor to absorb and get a dry, roasted finish.
    • You can cut the large soya chunks into halves for better masala coating.
    • You can add slit green chili if you want it spicier.
    • Use plenty of curry leaves and freshly ground pepper for that authentic South Indian flavor.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
    Like our video?Subscribe to our youtube channel to get latest updates!

    4
    Shares

    Filed Under: Lunch Recipes, RandomPosts, Recent Posts, Sides, Soya chunks recipes, Varuval, youmaylike

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Geethu Sathiyan

      July 14, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      yumm…

      Reply
    2. traditionallymodernfood

      July 14, 2014 at 3:09 pm

      Protein rich side dish:)

      Reply
    3. Leena Chandrashekar

      July 14, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      protein rich dish..yum

      Reply
    4. Raks anand

      July 15, 2014 at 5:46 am

      Delicious, I always love soy chunks and chapathi as wraps

      Reply
    5. Sanjay Uchcharia

      July 15, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      Thanks for the recipes. Just few days ago i was looking for this recipe. Now i got more here. 🙂

      Reply
    6. satya.cs

      July 16, 2014 at 5:44 am

      It was really tasty, i had tried last nite n came out soo good Thanks sharmilee

      Reply
    7. Lavi Raj

      July 16, 2014 at 11:46 am

      soy chunk is my favourite, like the simple masala part and the wrap pic tempts me a lot to try!

      Reply
    8. Niloufer Riyaz

      July 16, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      a very healthy side dish!

      Reply
    9. Tarun Jindal

      June 23, 2015 at 8:20 pm

      Very usefull for me..taste was very good.. Thank you.. 🙂 keep on publishing… ?

      Reply
    10. prabhjot kaur

      April 11, 2016 at 10:03 am

      Any substitute for coconut or can v skip it

      Reply
      • SHARMILEE J

        April 20, 2016 at 2:29 am

        No substitutes

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello, I’m Sharmilee - author,recipe creator and photographer behind Sharmis Passions.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    • Aloo Tikki Recipe
    • Ghee Coffee | Bulletproof Coffee
    • Potato Rice | Aloo Rice
    • Mango Jelly Recipe

    See more new recipes →

    Popular Recipes

    • Cajun Potatoes Recipe (Barbeque Nation Style)
    • Black Tea
    • icing sugar3
      Icing Sugar Recipe | How to make Icing Sugar
    • homemade chocolate01
      Homemade Chocolate

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Stay Connected

    Copyright © 2025 Text,Images and Content Copyrighted by Sharmis Passions

    Managed by Host My Blog

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.