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Home / Recipes
15 minutes
4.54 from 71 votes
28 Comments

Chow Mein

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  • 304
by: Joanna Cismaru

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Delicious Chow Mein ready in just 15 minutes, easy to put together, all in one pot and always a crowd favorite! A homemade version of your favorite take-out dish, vegetarian style or add the protein of your choice!

This really is one of my favorite take-out dishes ever. But did you know it’s so simple to make at home that you can really make this from start to finish in 15 minutes? Yep, that’s faster than it would take you to order take-out!

Not only is this recipe quick, but you really do end up with restaurant quality Chow Mein. This will surely become your family’s favorite! The other great thing about this dish is that it’s easily customizable!

What Is Chow Mein

Chow Mein is a Chinese dish of stir fried noodles with vegetables and sometimes shredded meat like chicken, beef, pork or seafood. The words chow mein really just mean “stir fried noodles”.

Chow Mein vs Lo Mein

Let me first say that I love both Chow Mein and Lo Mein, they are a couple of my favorites whenever I go to a Chinese buffet. However, if you’re really wondering what the difference is between the two, let me just say not a lot. The main difference is in the method and it comes down to frying time. Chow Mein usually has crisper noodles, so you add a bit more oil and increase the frying time.

Both Chow Mein and Lo Mein are made with Chinese wheat flour noodles made with eggs. For Chow Mein you can use either dried or fresh noodles, while for Lo Mein you use fresh noodles. That’s about it! Which is better? It all comes down to your preference!

Ingredients

There are two main components to this dish; the sauce and the veggies and noodles. The secret to a good Chow Mein really is in the sauce. However, don’t worry, this sauce really is super simple to make. Here’s what you’ll need:

Chow Mein Sauce Ingredients:
  • Hot Water
  • Soy Sauce – I prefer the low sodium one
  • Oyster Sauce – a sauce made with oysters and soy sauce, very common in Chinese cooking.
  • Chinese cooking wine – a rice wine that is commonly used in Chinese cooking. Rice wine is made from fermented glutinous rice, where the sugars are transformed into alcohol by yeast. It’s usually used to tenderize meat and seafood as well as add flavor to food.
  • Dark Soy Sauce – it’s usually thicker and darker in color, and aged for a longer period of time. It’s made from molasses or caramel and a bit of cornstarch. It has a more full-bodied flavor and it’s usually used to add flavor and a darker color to food.
  • Sesame Oil
  • Brown Sugar – or a honey for a bit of sweetness
  • Cornstarch – used to thicken the sauce
Vegetables + Noodles
  • Garlic 
  • Carrots
  • Cabbage – I love using Napa cabbage for this dish, but regular cabbage works just as well
  • Bean Sprouts
  • Green Onions
  • Chow Mein Noodles – you can easily find this in your local store in the Asian aisle
  • Peanut Oil – for stir frying

Other Ingredients You Can Add

Here are some other vegetables you can add:

  • Bok Choy
  • Mushrooms such as Shiitake or Oyster
  • Snow Peas
  • Bell peppers

Different protein you can add:

  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Pork
  • Shrimp

How To Make Chow Mein

If you’ve had chow mein before then you know it comes with crispy noodles or non crispy noodles. For the crispy version you usually deep fry the noodles until they’re crispy. I, however, prefer the non crispy version.

The other difference with my recipe is in how the noodles are prepared. Usually the noodles are soaked in boiling water until soft. However, I prefer to add mine to wok dry and then just pour the sauce over them. This way it’s all done in one pot, I hate washing pots. As you start tossing the noodles around, you’ll notice them soften and within a few minutes they will be cooked enough.

To do this, start by mixing all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.

Saute the garlic in the peanut oil for just 30 seconds until it becomes aromatic. Add in the carrots and cook for a minute or so until they soften a bit then add in the cabbage. Stir-fry the cabbage and the carrots for 2 to 3 minutes in total. You’ll notice the cabbage start to wilt a little.

Add the noodles to the wok, give the sauce another stir since the cornstarch tends to sink to the bottom, then pour it over the noodles. Leave them alone for 2 minutes, then start tossing them around, you’ll notice they soften quickly and within a couple minutes they’re all done.

Add the bean sprouts and green onions and serve while warm. I like to drizzle some hot sauce over mine, for a little kick. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Tips And Tricks

Here are some tips to help you make this dish as easy as possible:

  • Prepare all your ingredients ahead of time. Whisk all the sauce ingredients together and chop all your veggies. Once you start making this dish, it’s super quick and you’ll be done in no time!
  • If you can’t find chow mein noodles use other noodles such as soba noodles, or pancit noodles, I find they work the best.
  • Use a mandoline to cut vegetables thin, or if you’ve got great knife skills, use them! 😉
  • If you’re adding a protein such as chicken or beef to this dish, add them to the wok first and saute them until no longer pink.
  • If you don’t have a great big wok, just use a large skillet, it works just fine.

Leftovers

If you’ve got some leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Usually I just reheat it in the microwave for a couple minutes before serving again.

Freezing

You can freeze chow mein, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months.

More Asian Favorite Recipes:

  • Lo Mein
  • Asian Pork Rolls
  • Pad Thai
  • Kung Pao Chicken
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Pad See Ew
  • Chicken Teriyaki

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side view shot of chopsticks picking up some chow mein from a bowl

Chow Mein

4.54 from 71 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
Delicious Chow Mein ready in just 15 minutes, easy to put together, all in one pot and always a crowd favorite! A homemade version of your favorite take-out dish, vegetarian style or add the protein of your choice!

Ingredients

Chow Mein Sauce

  • 1 cup hot water
  • ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch

Chow Mein

  • 2 tablespoon peanut oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium carrot julienned or thinly sliced
  • 4 cups cabbage shredded, I used Napa cabbage
  • 12 ounce chow mein noodles
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Make chow mein sauce: In a medium size bowl whisk all the sauce ingredients together and set aside. 
  • Stir-fry veggies: In a wok or a large skillet or frying pan heat the peanut oil. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the carrots and cook for another minute until they start to soften a bit. Stir in the cabbage and saute for 2 more minutes until the cabbage is wilted.
  • Add noodles and sauce: Add the noodles to the wok. Give the sauce a quick stir, then pour over the noodles. Let them cook for 2 minutes before tossing them around in the sauce. Keep tossing them around and within 3 to 5 minutes they will soften and cook completely.
  • Add the green onions and bean sprouts: Add in the green onions and bean sprouts and toss everything together.
  • Serve: Serve while warm. If preferred drizzle some hot sauce over the noodles.

Video

Recipe Notes

Protein: Feel free to add protein of your choice to this dish, such as chicken, pork, beef or shrimp. If adding protein, I recommend sautéing it first in the wok with a bit of oil before adding any of the veggies to the wok.
Chinese cooking wine: If you want an alcohol free version, go ahead and use a vegetable broth or chicken broth instead, though the cooking wine really is key to this dish.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 285kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 46g (15%)Protein: 9g (18%)Fat: 6g (9%)Sodium: 940mg (41%)Potassium: 94mg (3%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 1760IU (35%)Vitamin C: 4.3mg (5%)Calcium: 15mg (2%)Iron: 2.3mg (13%)
Course:Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine:Asian
Keyword:chow mein, chow mein noodles, chow mein recipe
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 304

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Comments

  1. Laraine says

    April 2, 2022 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    Delicious 😋 Working our way through your recipes. This was superb, I added 3 chicken breasts and left out the onions. Served with prawn crackers and sweet and sour sauce. Thank you. No need for greasy takeout anymore!

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      April 2, 2022 at 11:49 am

      Thank you for you comment and I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes!

      Reply
  2. Rose says

    January 15, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    Looks SO delicious! Other than broths, what could I use that would mimic the acidity of the cooking wine? Not easy to find where I live:)

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      January 15, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      Dry sherry, mirin, or cooking sake/japanese rice wine will work!

      Reply
  3. Lora Daughton says

    December 20, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love this vegetarian chow mein, the best, easiest, tastiest i have ever made!!! 5 stars for me

    Reply
  4. anjali bansal says

    June 19, 2020 at 11:33 am

    I loved this recipe so much!

    Reply
  5. Diana says

    April 30, 2020 at 5:17 am

    5 stars
    Hi Jo, this recipe is SO delicious!
    As I’m very obsessed with eating my daily macros, I wanted to ask if you have any recommendations for adding a protein source to this recipe? (no pork or tofu though).
    I though of adding chicken breast or some beef but how would you cook it to fit with this recipe? (:

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      April 30, 2020 at 9:48 am

      In step 1, sauté some thinly sliced beef or chicken breast for a few minutes until cooked through before continuing with the garlic. You may need to add a little more oil!

      Reply
  6. Niyatee says

    January 19, 2020 at 10:13 pm

    Hi my family likes spicy food, how can i make this more spicy ?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team 2 says

      January 20, 2020 at 10:16 am

      We love using chili garlic sauce here! You could also add some red chili flakes as well to kick up the heat!

      Reply
  7. JIm Little says

    November 25, 2019 at 8:12 am

    Nice video. My wife has a food blog as well. Its called Everyday Gluten Free Gourmet. She does all the blogging and cooking. I do the photography and help with website maintenance. We are now starting to include videos like this. Can you share some tips on how you did the video? What kind of camera? What is the burner you use? What did you edit the video on?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      November 25, 2019 at 10:28 am

      Our videos are shot 4k, over a portable induction cooktop, and edited on FCPX. Have fun!

      Reply
  8. Sebastian says

    October 30, 2019 at 9:19 am

    Hi, i love your recipe.
    it make any difference use spaghetti noodles(first bolided)?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      October 30, 2019 at 10:17 am

      Chow mein is a very thin egg noodle. I don’t think you’ll get the same results using spaghetti! See if you can find some Check out what your local grocery stores have for egg noodles.

      Reply
      • sebastian says

        October 30, 2019 at 10:28 am

        oh perfect, with egg noodles, i follow the recipe in the same way?

      • Jo Cooks Team says

        October 30, 2019 at 10:37 am

        They’ll likely need some more liquid depending on the thickness. Add a bit of water at a time until you’re happy with the doneness!

  9. Sally Fortner says

    October 18, 2019 at 4:10 pm

    Do you know if there is a recipe where the sauce is more brown,or what that ingredient would be

    Reply
    • jo says

      October 19, 2019 at 11:27 am

      You could add dark soy sauce that would darken the sauce. Also check out my Asian recipes you’ll find lots with different sauces: https://www.jocooks.com/category/cuisine/asian/

      Reply
  10. Yoly says

    October 7, 2019 at 12:58 pm

    This looks really delicious and I’m dying to try it. I was wondering what brand of noodles do you use?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      October 8, 2019 at 10:21 am

      We used a brand from China that we found at our local Asian market! Not sure exactly what it was called.

      Reply
  11. Ashley says

    August 11, 2019 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    Thank you Jo!
    This was fantastic!!! A hit with the whole family!! This is by far the best chow mein recipe i have found! This will definitely be on the menu around here very often. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 11, 2019 at 2:31 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  12. Kim says

    June 6, 2019 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best chow mien I think I’ve ever had! I didn’t have peanut oil so I used a blob of natural peanut butter. Lol worked perfectly. I’ll be making this often. Cheers! Thank you

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 6, 2019 at 7:21 pm

      My pleasure, so glad you like it!

      Reply
  13. Marc says

    March 20, 2019 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Made this last night for the wife and I FANTASTIC

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      March 20, 2019 at 3:55 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  14. Nadine Watts says

    March 18, 2019 at 11:28 am

    Where do you find Chinese noodles??

    Reply
    • Nicole Beaulieu says

      March 18, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      Any Asian market will have them! I’ve seen them in the ethnic aisle at many grocery stores as well.

      Reply

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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