Chow Mein in 30-Minutes!

Chow mein that tastes better than your go-to takeout place!

If you have tried making chow mein at home and ended up with a mushy mess instead, this recipe is for you. With a few basic tips and tricks, you’ll be making chow mein as good (or even better) than your go-to takeout place.

What is Chow Mein

Chow mein is a popular Chinese stir-fried noodles dish. The name “chow mein” translates to “fried noodles”. The dish typically starts with a base of egg noodles, which are boiled and then stir-fried until they become crispy. The stir-frying process gives the noodles a slightly chewy texture. Vegetables and meat are commonly added as well. The dish is seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, or other Chinese sauces to enhance its taste.

Chow Mein Recipe

This is an overview of all the ingredients and steps to make chow mein. Refer to the recipe card below for details

Chow Mein Ingredients

• Noodles: Chinese egg noodles work the best. These noodles have a chewy texture which makes it perfect for this dish
• Vegetables: Cabbage, carrots and green onions are the perfect trio to this chowmein recipe. You can also include bell peppers, bok choy, bean sprouts and onions
• Sauce: Light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, garlic and water together create the perfect chow mein sauce
• Cooking oil: Neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil and canola oil are your best options
• Toasted sesame oil: A few drops of toasted sesame oil at the end for the perfect finishing touch

How to Make Chow Mein

1. Prep: Thinly slice cabbage, carrots, green onions and mix the sauces in a bowl. You’ll need to move quickly while making this dish so keep everything handy
2. Cook noodles: Boil water and cook the noodles 2 mins less than the package instructions. Strain the noodles and dunk them into cold water or rinse them until they are cold. This prevents the noodles from overcooking. Strain out excess water and coat in some oil to prevent them from clumping together
3. Stir fry vegetables: Heat a wok/pan on high heat and add some oil. Stir fry the carrots for 1 minute, add the cabbage and stir fry for another minute, add the white part of the green onions and stir fry until they get a light char. Remove and set aside
4. Stir fry noodles: Next add some oil to the wok/pan and stir fry the noodles for 2-3 minutes on high heat until lightly charred. Use chopsticks or tongs to mix the noodles so they don’t break
5. Sauce: Add back the stir-fried vegetables and mix well. Next add the sauce and stir fry for 2 minutes. You may not need more salt but taste and adjust if needed
6. Garnish: Add the green parts of green onions/spring onions and a few drops of toasted sesame oil. Mix well and enjoy your delicious chowmein!

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

Tips to Make Perfect Chow Mein at Home

• Preparing the noodles: We need springy noodles that won’t break while stir frying. Cook noodles in boiling water (2 mins less than the package instructions), strain and dunk into cold water to stop cooking immediately. Squeeze out excess water and coat with 1 tbsp of cooking oil
• Vegetables: Thinly slice the vegetables so they are in proportion to the noodles. Do not add salt to the vegetables while stir frying as this can draw out too much moisture and turn them soggy
• Wok Hei: “Wok hei” also known as “breath of the wok” refers to the unique flavor and aroma that is created when food is stir-fried in a wok over high heat. By stir frying the noodles and vegetables separately on high flame, we can control how much char, smokiness and crispy texture is achieved
• Sauces: Use sauces from Chinese brands like Lee Kum Kee or Pearl River Bridge to get the authentic flavor
• Oil: High smoke point, neutral flavored cooking oil is essential. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil and canola oil are your best options

Chow Mein Variations

Meat: Pork, chicken or beef and add it to the chow mein. The meat must be thinly sliced and seasoned with soy sauce and sugar before stir frying.
Seafood: Seared shrimp, clams, squid or scallops are a great addition.
Vegetables: Bok choy, mushrooms, bell peppers, snap peas, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and celery.

Pairing Ideas

Sesame Chicken

Chinese Garlic Chicken