Throw in whatever vegetables you have and enjoy this fantastic, simple, and quick stir-fried Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat Recipe that is completely adaptable.
What Is the Difference Between Lo Mein and Chow Mein?
If you have ever ordered both of these noodles from a Chinese restaurant, you are aware that lo mein is more tender and chow mein is a little more crispy. Although it is tempting to believe that each recipe calls for two entirely different kinds of noodles, this is untrue. Chinese egg noodles are the same in both chow mein and lo mein, but the two dishes are cooked very differently.
Cooks select fresh or only partially dried Chinese noodles for lo mein, boil them for a brief period of time, and then toss the noodles with vegetables and sauce. However, Chinese chefs prefer to boil dried egg noodles for chow mein, then combine them with already-cooked vegetables and chow mein sauce in a hot wok.
Ingredients to Make This Copycat Recipe
Therefore, below is a comparison of my version and the real Panda Express on the right. The only difference between the chow mein and Panda Express is the type of noodles used.
Noodles from Panda Express are only made for them and are not sold in stores. For the closest replacement, use yakisoba.
Making this recipe at home is incredibly simple, and you can purchase all the ingredients at regular supermarkets. Make a lot of Panda Express Chow Mein; it’s delicious, simple, healthier, and less expensive, and you can eat as much as you like!
This recipe is only 362 calories per serving.
Does Panda Express Use Chicken Broth in Its Chow Mein Recipe?
In the past, the ingredients for Panda Express Chow Mein included chicken broth. Nevertheless, in response to an online petition, the business modified its recipe to be vegetarian-friendly.
The recipe below does not have chicken broth, but it calls for using oyster sauce that contains fish. If you want to make a vegetarian version of this dish, try using a fish-free oyster sauce.
FAQ
Is Panda Express chow mein rice noodles?
Whole grain noodles from Panda Express’ Chow Mein are cooked in a wok with shredded onion, celery, cabbage, and bean sprouts.
What’s the difference between yakisoba and chow mein?
Chow mein uses a variety of meats and vegetables, but yakisoba favors pork and frequently includes cabbage, carrots, onions, bean sprouts, and green peppers.
What’s the difference between chow mein and lo mein?
Before being stir-fried, chow mein noodles are soaked in hot water to soften them. The noodles and the other ingredients are fully cooked during the stir-frying process. Lo Mein noodles, on the other hand, are fully cooked before being combined with the meat, vegetables, and sauce.
Why does Panda Express call it chow mein?
While lo mein translates to stirred or tossed noodles, chow mein means fried noodles in English. Since the noodles in both dishes are made from wheat flour and eggs, which are similar to the ingredients of Italian pasta, the main difference between them is how the noodles are prepared.
