A great Chow Mein comes down to the sauce, made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and cornstarch for thickening. Slippery noodles slick with the savoury sauce is noodle heaven! One of my favourite noodles, up there with all time greats Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and Singapore noodles.
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
Chow Mein
I want to say that Chow Mein is my favourite noodle-child but I’m worried that I’ve said that in another recipe (or two… or three… 😂).
Because there is, after all, some heavy hitting noodle competition in this big wide world. Pad Thai, Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried Noodles), Singapore Noodles, Yakisoba (Japanese noodles) – to name just a few.
But Chow Mein is right up there and it’s not just because it’s noodle-slurpingly delicious, but also because of the following:
Tons of hidden veggies– cabbage, carrot and bean sprouts, all in “noodle shapes” so they just meld right in there with the noodles so you have no idea how much you’re actually consuming (it’s like feeding a child);
Faster to make that home delivery – 15 minutes from start to finish;
Versatile– as all stir fries are. Switch the proteins and veg as you please;
Charlie – Chow Mein Sauce can be made from scratch, or using Charlie, my all purpose Stir Fry Sauce that I always have on hand. Yes, I named him because I love him so much.
What noodles to use for Chow Mein
The thing that distinguishes Chow Mein from other stir fried noodles are the type of noodles used. Chow Mein noodles are thin crinkly looking noodles that are lightly coated in flour.
Here’s a close up of the noodles. The supermarket version by Fantastic Noodles is slightly more yellow than it should be but it’s just as tasty.
Can’t find Chow Mein Noodles?
Use Ramen Noodles or other instant noodles – just toss the packet seasoning! Or use thin spaghetti or other thin egg noodles (check ingredients on packet, should have egg listed).
What goes in Chow Mein
Other than noodles, Chow Mein almost always has cabbage, bean sprouts and carrot, then your choice of protein. I’m pretty sure chicken is by far the most popular, but I have no facts or figures to back that up. 😉
I like to use chicken thigh for stir fries because it’s juicier than breast and tenderloin. If I make this with chicken breast, I always tenderise it using a Chinese restaurant technique using baking soda (bi-carb). It’s super simple, see directions here: How to Velvet Chicken.
Chow Mein Sauce
Here’s what you need for the sauce. The Chinese cooking wine is the key ingredient that makes home cooking truly rival takeout – your local Chinese restaurant uses Chinese cooking wine in virtually everything!!
Difference between Lo Mein and Chow Mein
The difference lies in the noodles. Both are wheat noodles made with egg so they are yellow(ish). Lo Mein Noodles are wet and oily out of the packet, then boiled or soaked until soft before tossing with a sauce, vegetables and protein.
Chow Mein noodles are thinner, and kind of dry and crinkly out of the packet (see photo above). They can be used to make:
- soft noodles (this recipe) – soaked in boiling water until soft then tossed with a sauce, vegetables and meat; or
- Crispy Chow Mein – fried until crisp then served with a saucy stir fry on top – this is the traditional Chinese/Hong Kong way of serving Chow Mein noodles.
How to make Chow Mein
And here’s how to make it. Make sure you have everything ready to toss in because once you start cooking, you’ll be plating up in just over 5 minutes – I told you it’s fast!!
Wok NOT essential!
Totally fine to cook Chow Mein in a skillet instead of a wok. Just be sure to use a big one – so your noodles don’t go flying as you enthusiastically toss!
The fact of the matter is, no matter what protein you use, what vegetables and even what noodles, you’re going to end up with a bowl of slurp-worthy noodles as long as you use the Sauce recipe plus the same quantity of noodles + other stuff (veg, protein etc) so the flavour isn’t diluted.
So don’t get too hung up on the exact noodle type! Concentrate on the sauce. The sauce, the sauce!! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 200g /6 oz chicken breast or thigh fillets , thinly sliced (Note 1 tenderise option)
- 4 cups green cabbage , finely shredded (Note 3)
- 1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil (or other cooking oil)
- 2 cloves garlic , finely chopped
- 200g /6 oz chow mein noodles (Note 2)
- 1 carrot , julienned
- 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts
- 3 green onions , cut into 5cm/2″ pieces
- 1/4 cup (65 ml) water
Chow Mein Sauce:
- 2 tsp cornflour / cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce , all purpose or light (Note 4)
- 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce (sub Hoisin)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine OR Mirin (Note 5)
- 2 tsp sugar (reduce to 1 tsp if using Mirin)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- White pepper (sub black)
Instructions
Sauce:
- Mix together cornflour and soy sauce, then mix in remaining ingredients.
- Alternative: Use 1/3 cup Chinese All Purpose Stir Fry Sauce, if you have some in stock.
Chicken & Noodles
- Marinate Chicken: Pour 1 tbsp of Sauce over the chicken, mix to coat, set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
- Noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the packet instructions (my pack says soak in boiled water for 1 minute), then drain.
Cooking:
- Heat oil in wok or large fry pan over high heat.
- Add garlic and stir fry for 10 seconds or until it starts to turn golden – don’t let it burn!
- Add chicken and stir fry until the surface gets a tinge of browning but inside is still raw – about 1 minute.
- Add the cabbage, carrot, and the white pieces of shallots (i.e. from the base of the stalk). Stir fry for 1 1/2 minutes until the cabbage is mostly wilted.
- Add the noodles, Sauce and water*. Stir fry for 1 minute, tossing constantly.
- Add bean sprouts and remaining shallots/scallions. Toss through for 30 seconds or until the bean sprouts just start to wilt.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
- Garlic – don’t use mincer/garlic press or jarred garlic, they burn too quickly. Finely chop it.
- Skillet is fine, just use a big one so the noodles don’t go flying when you toss.
Nutrition Information:
Originally published 2014, updated over the years with improved photos, process photos, and video!
Love Chow Mein? Here’s more noodles to try!
Pad Thai and Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried noodles)
Browse the Noodle recipes collection!
Life of Dozer
Throw stick, dashes after it, plonks down and eats it.
Someone needs to teach this Golden Retriever how to retrieve. (I failed)
Your recipe is very easy to follow, I’m excited to try it.
Thank you
I hope you do!
Hi nagi! Tried this recipe today and flunked desperately! The noodles i used was thin egg noodles because i couldnt find the chow mein noodles anywhere. Not coles not woolies not even the asian shop. The noodles clumped together as i added them into the stir fry i think the msy even been raw when i bought them as they were flour-ry. But nonetheless it wouldve been a delish and wholesome meal. Could you suggest where else i can buy chow mien noodles?
I tried this for the first time and flunked completely because of the noodles. Couldnt find chow mein noodles anywhere not coles or woolies not even the asian shop. So instead bought thin egg noodles.. everything was going well until i added thoses noodles .. they just clumped together! Aside from the noodles it wouldve been a totally tasty and wholesome dish! Where do buy your chow mein noodles?
Hi Tasha! Woolies sells them! Fantastic noodles, here’s a link https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/Browse/eggs-dairy-fridge/fresh-pasta-noodles?name=fantastic-fresh-noodles-chow-mein&productId=145571 I was SO HAPPY when they started stocking them!
Thanks for such doing such a detailed guide on this recipe. I love your site.
You’re most welcome Anna!
Sounds as though you have done a lot of perfecting this recipe. It is the best recipe I have come across. Will soon try it and will get back to you.
Thank You
Hope you do! 🙂
Hi Nagi.
Thankyou very much for this recipe. I made this for dinner tonight and couldn’t wait to write a comment. It was delicious.
Will surely make this again. I used chicken stock in place of alcohol. Turned out just fine!! 😀
Fantastic to hear Iz! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! N x
hii .. recipe sounds realy great… will b making it as im on a look out for authrntic chinese chow mein.. hopefully i make it as good as it looks here… i want to ask whether shallots scallions tht u hav mentionad in the ingredients , r they the same as Spring onions??
Hi Amal! Yes – spring onions and also called shallots and scallions! N x
I’ve always loved Chinese food, and am a decent cook, but never trusted any online recipes. Well, I tried yours and it was AMAZING. I love food, and while I’ll eat almost anything, I know good when I taste it, and this recipe was really good. I now keep a jar of Charlie in my fridge.
I even got my wife into it – she generally doesn’t like Chinese as she says it’s too sweet, but she loved this.
Thank-you, thank-you!
Hi Nagi. Thankyou soooo much for posting this recipe. I made it for hubby and one of my sons. They loved it. It is delicious and I have since made a jar of “Charlie Sauce” to have ready for the next recipe I make. Thanks for all the suggested ingredients to add. I have many stir fry recipes but I have to say this was the best one I have tried. Look forward to trying some of your other recipes
I’m so glad Maxine! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know – N x
Is there a good substitute to Oyster sauce? Thank you@
Hi Moni! Not really, but hoisin is the closest though it will give it a slight five spice flavour. Still delish!
Love this, been searching and searching for a chow mein recipe like you get in Chinese restaurants and I think this is it! Just finished my first jar of Charlie as I’ve been making it every week. Told my sister about this great chow mein recipe and sent her the link, and what do you know – she went to school with you. So, Kat says “hi”!
No way!!! In my year?? Say HI to her for me! N x
Haha, and Steph has since given me a jar of Charlie after I begged her for it. Looking forward to making this for the first time tomorrow! Missed you at the reunion 😉 x
??? Kat C???
My partner absolutely loved loved loved this. So much better than the takeaway. Just one question, though – how long will the CHARLIE sauce keep in the fridge? Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Linda, thanks for letting me know! Charlie will keep in the fridge for weeks – I’ve kept him for up to 8 (but check expiry of ingredients you use). Just ensure to shake every week or so to stop the cornflour from hardening at the bottom of the jar. N x
Have just made this for my husband who invariably picks out the chicken only. He ate the lot and said any time I want to make it he’d be a starter!
Touchdown! 🙂 N x
Thank you
I made this this evening without the chicken. It was my first attempt at chow mien and was delicious! (I also made a batch of your Charlie and used it in the chow mien). I have a question about the noodles: is there a trick to incorporating the noodles more easily into the other ingredients? Mine stubbornly stayed knotted in a ball and it was difficult to get everything mixed together. (I used the refrigerated noodles as you suggested.) Thank you! Very tasty recipe!
Thanks for trying my recipe Erica! I’m so glad you enjoyed it – N x
Thnx for ur recipe Nagi….!!! m going to make it☺☺☺
Hope you do Abey, it is SO GOOD! Probably my most made noodles ever!!
Made this last night after a long day at work and a too-long commute home. Was quick and easy to make and a huge hit! Leftovers were awesome today! I’ll definitely be making this again – and I’m looking forward to trying out your other recipes!
Touchdown! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it Cheryl, THANK YOU for letting me know! N x
Hi,
do you have any thoughts on how to make this dish with lower sodium perhaps 1/2 of what’s currently?
Hi Addie! Just use low sodium soy 🙂 And low sodium oyster if you can! N x
Made this for dinner tonight and the family went nuts! So delicious, and much better than take out!!!
So glad you enjoyed it Morgan! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Lovely dish, making it again tonight.
Oooh now you have ME caring Chow Mein for dinner tonight! 🙂 N x