What goes in Chow Mein
Chow mein nearly always includes carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts in addition to noodles, followed by your choice of protein. I’m fairly certain that chicken is the most widely consumed food, but I can’t prove it with statistics. .
Because chicken thighs are more juicy than breast and tenderloin, I prefer to use them in stir fries. When I make this with chicken breast, I always use a Chinese restaurant technique called “bi-carb,” or baking soda to tenderize the chicken. It’s super simple, see directions here: How to Velvet Chicken.
Here’s what you need for the sauce. Chinese cooking wine, which is used in almost everything at your neighborhood Chinese restaurant, is the secret ingredient that makes home cooking genuinely competitive with takeout.
What noodles to use for Chow Mein
The kind of noodles used is what sets Chow Mein apart from other stir-fried noodles. Noodles with a thin, crispy appearance that are dusted with flour are called Chow Mein noodles.
Here’s a close up of the noodles. Fantastic Noodles’ supermarket version tastes just as good, but it’s a little bit more yellow than it should be.
Use thin spaghetti or other thin egg noodles (check ingredients on packet; should have egg listed) or Ramen Noodles or other instant noodles (just toss the packet seasoning).
Toss Together with Flavorings
Put the sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce in a small bowl. Pour over cooked noodles and toss until heated through. Serve hot!.
Any leftover chow mein can be kept for up to three days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. After that, things start to get a little too mushy!.
Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container that is safe to store in the freezer. Chow mein freezes incredibly well! Freeze for up to 3 months!.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then quickly stir-fry to reheat!
Try my Better Than Take-Out Crispy Sesame Beef or Korean Beef Recipe if you feel like you need more protein with this dish. Chicken thighs or shrimp would be super good too.
You could also serve this with pot stickers, crab rangoons, and some extra veggies!
Here are another thirty suggestions for Chow Mein Side Dishes.
