What Is The Difference Between Lo Mein And Udon Noodles

Wheat Noodles

Asian noodles are made primarily from wheat, which is the most widely used grain for making noodles worldwide.

Similar to Italian pasta, Asian wheat noodles are typically made with wheat flour and egg. One significant distinction is that many types of Asian egg noodles are made by pulling and stretching the noodles, whereas Italian pasta is made by rolling and then slicing the dough.

Similar to rolling, this breaks down the glutens in the dough, but the finished noodles have a different consistency and texture. Asian noodles tend to be more buoyant and bouncy than their Italian equivalents.

Lo Mein and Chow Mein

Lo mein and chow mein are the two varieties of Chinese wheat noodles that are most popular. Made from wheat flour and egg, they have a cylindrical shape similar to spaghetti but with a slightly thicker consistency, about 1/4 of an inch.

You can find both dried and fresh versions of lo mein and chow mein, especially if you happen to live close to a sizable Asian grocery store. If not, you might be limited to the dried kind.

To achieve the desired “bite,” or slightly puffed up texture, both the fresh and dried varieties must be briefly parboiled (follow the instructions on the package; the cooking time for dried noodles will vary depending on thickness and be a bit longer).

Noodles are parboiled and then cooked with stir-fried meat and veggies in a sauce; alternatively, the noodles can be stir-fried to get more crunch.

Lo mein noodles are typically softer, while chow mein noodles are typically crispier. For this reason, when it comes to making lo mein, fresh noodles are preferable. Additionally, Asian egg noodles can frequently be replaced with Italian spaghetti, vermicelli, or angel hair. Here’s more information on the distinctions between chow mein and lo mein.

Ramen Noodles

The ramen noodle is a hugely popular type of egg noodle that originated in Japan.

An alkaline ingredient known as kansui is used to treat Ramen noodles, giving them a curly texture.

Ramen is typically served with a variety of vegetables, meats, and other toppings in a broth flavored with salt, soy sauce, miso, or pork. It is thinner than chow mein or lo mein.

There is no denying the popularity of the instant ramen variety, as seen by how common it is on grocery shelves across Asia and North America. However, authentic ramen eateries will serve a fresher variety that can also be found at larger Asian grocery stores.

It’s crucial to avoid overcooking ramen noodles at first because their thin texture will cause them to soften as they sit in the broth, like in miso ramen soup.