How to make Chinese Crispy Noodles
Deep frying is typically used to prepare the crunchy noodles served at Chinese restaurants.
Sure, it’s tasty, but my skinny jeans aren’t so fond of it. .
Consequently, I pan fry Chinese crispy noodles when I make them at home. It indicates that, unlike when you deep fry noodles, the very center doesn’t become completely crispy.
But the entire noodle “pancake”‘s surface does become crispy, so as long as you make them fairly thin, you won’t feel cheated of crispiness at all!
Don’t fill the wok more than halfway; the oil will expand and bubble up when the noodles are added, and you don’t want it to spill over and possibly start a grease fire. Make sure the oil is at least 2 inches deep. Divide the noodles into three or four smaller portions if your wok is only smaller than 14 inches in diameter.
Type of Noodles
When using fresh Hokkien noodles or egg noodles that have been refrigerated, they won’t crisp up as well because they are stickier and wetter.
Chow Mein noodles are noticeably drier and a little bit crinkly – see below – and this is what allows you to cook them in a pan until they are crispy!
No problem, just use instant or ramen noodles (for pictures, see this recipe for Ramen Stir Fry). Spray oil on the noodles before baking them (yes, this method truly works flawlessly).
FAQ
What are pan-fried noodles made of?
Fresh Hong Kong pan fry noodles are typically used to make pan-fried noodles. Use dried thin wonton soup noodles, Chinese egg noodles, or fine egg noodles in their place if you can’t find them. Use only about 12 ounces of dried noodles because they weigh less than fresh noodles.
What is the difference between lo mein and pan-fried noodles?
Then there’s the difference in cooking method. Maggie advised, “You can pan fry chow mein noodles with a little more oil so they get crispy.” The noodles are fried, often with the veggies and meat. She continued, “With lo mein, you just toss the noodles with sauce and the ingredients.
What are Chinese pan-fried noodles called?
This is a CRUNCHY version of Chow Mein, one of my all-time favorite dishes from my neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Crispy noodles are topped with a saucy chicken and vegetable stir fry. You’ll adore the way the sauce makes the noodles so that some of them become soft while others remain crispy.
Is chow mein pan-fried noodles?
(Also, chow mein = pan fried noodles. This dish is typically served for breakfast or lunch and is especially well-liked at dim sum restaurants.
