How to Make Chow Mein:
- To make the chow mein sauce, mix the oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch together in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions, set aside.
- Heat a large wok or pan. Cook the chicken in a pan with a small amount of oil until it turns golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the cabbage, carrots, and pressed garlic for a few minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
- Return the chicken to the pan, then add the cooked noodles and drizzle the sauce over everything. Cook for about two minutes, making sure that all of the delicious sauce is distributed evenly.
- Add chopped green onions and remove from the heat. Serve hot!.
We love recreating popular takeout recipes. Chinese cuisine is all about noodles, so try this easy-to-make and incredibly satisfying Homemade Chow Mein Recipe! These stir-fried noodles will quickly become a regular part of your weeknight meal routine.
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).
Difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein
The difference lies in the noodles. Since both are egg-based wheat noodles, they are somewhat yellow. After being boiled or soaked until tender, lo mein noodles are moist and greasy right out of the package. They are then combined with a sauce, veggies, and protein.
Noodles for Chow Mein are thinner, crispier, and somewhat dry right out of the package (see above photo). They can be used to make:
- This recipe’s soft noodles are boiled until tender and then combined with meat, veggies, and sauce; or
- This is how Chow Mein noodles are traditionally served in China and Hong Kong: they are fried until crispy and then topped with a saucy stir-fry.
