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)
I made this and it was the the most authentic chow mein just like you get in a restaurant! Absolutely delicious. I’ll be saving this recipe for sure!
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this Faye! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! N x
You’re welcome Nagi! It’s great to have the pictures too. xx
Wow!! I made this tonight as promised and…..it was fabulous and Love-er-ly!!
Thank-you Nagi for this recipe, will make it many more times i’m sure, but maybe cut the portion, as you say it’s big LOL
Very nice……..I recommend it 🙂
Hi Rob, thanks for trying my recipe and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! N x
This looks fabulous, I’m going to try this next week! Thanks for the recipe
Hope you do Rob, it is SO GOOD!!
I think my favorite dish is Chicken Chow Mein. My problem is I live so far out of town that having it is a rarity. I always wanted to make my own but never had the courage to do it. However…. I’m printing out your recipe and I’m going to get the ingredients and see what happens. Nothing would make me happier than to be able to whip up a bowl of noodles at home!
Wish me luck!!!
😉
You don’t need luck Roger! 🙂
Planning to try out this chow mein soon! Thanks for the inspiration, Nagi!
How important is it to add oyster sauce?
No comment as yet as will be cooking chicken lo mein tonight
Another winner, Nagi!! I used the chow mein sauce and Udon noodles because that’s all my small town stores stock but I did use Chinese cooking wine I bought the last time I was in a big city. So delicious! My daughter and I were in heaven. Thanks so much for sharing another great recipe!
YAY! So glad you enjoyed it Kelly, thanks for letting me know!! N x
Would love to see video of how you julienne carrots.
I tried this recipe with Charlie and it was good. I did make one mistake though as I used the ready made
Singapore noodles and soaked them for too long so it was a bit soft. Thanks Nagi for sharing your recipe “Charlie”
I think it is wonderful. Many thanks.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Lee! PS I’ve done that too 🙂 Many times! N x
I’ll definitely do it soon Ron! 🙂
Thank You
Tried ur chow mein and and my family loves it. Thank you very much
Thank you Ali! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for letting me know! N x
Hey Nagi – Thank you for introducing me to your Charlie. I have multiple pots of pre-mixed marinade in the fridge also! I will invite Charlie to my fridge and join the rest of the premix marinade awaiting patiently for my taking! HA! HA! HA ! ….
I seriously love noodles… I can have it every day, in my books, noodles are in the same category as your home-made gyoza, and chinese congee . These are my fav comfort foods. I have a whole head of cabbage so this will go into your gyoza recipe as well as your delicious noodles recipe.
axx
ME TOO!!! I am obsessed with noodles! Have you tried Dan Dan Noodles??? They are SO GOOD!
You are preaching to my Noodle Belly! This looks sensation, and gives me a chance to invite Charlie back into our house. Woot!
He misses you and the kids!!! 😉
It’s a sign. I have shredded chicken left over from making pulled chicken sandwiches yesterday. I picked up some cabbage at the farm market to make egg rolls. I have Charlie in the fridge, made this past weekend. Now, here comes this to-die-for chow mein recipe straight from Nagi’s kitchen. Obviously I am meant to make chicken chow mein today. So, first I will go outside and pick some tart cherries in the front yard, to make cherry strudel (dessert counts high for me in sour cherry season!), and then I will go forth to meet my destiny in the kitchen. Thank you for your timely recipe, Nagi!
YESSSS it is a sign!!! PS Your own home grown cherries?? ?
I adore chow mein! But I’ve never tried cooking it at home! Your recipe might just change that 🙂
OMG you must Sarah! It is SO GOOD! 🙂
Fantastic! Husband and daughter couldn’t get enough of this dish. I used pork as that is what I had in the fridge and it was delicious. Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad you to hear you and your family enjoyed this Fiona! Thank you for coming back to let me know! N x
Chicken Chow Mein is one of my favorite Chinese dishes, I like when the noodles are lightly fried in sesame oil and the sauce is just our f this world!
OMG crispy chow mein is SO GOOD!!! Have you tried baking it? Works really well! 🙂 N x
This was terrific. I found fresh noodles and I think that made all the difference. It was better than any takeout I’ve ever had. Thank you.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Tim! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know! N x
FINALLY – a complete resource on Chicken Chow Mein. I learned so much! Thanks for covering all possible variables so I know what I’m getting myself in to. 🙂
Complete resource?? Me? 😉 (How to do tongue sticking out emoticon??) 🙂
So I’s seriously obsessed with Chow Mein…really and honestly. I always order it at Chinese restaurants and ask them for extra veggies since I don’t eat the chicken. Ahhhhh I am drooling at these pics! Will most def be trying this out because it’s such a fave of mine!!! Absolutely YUMMMMMM!!
One of the rare dishes where I seriously can go without the meat!!!
Holy moly. This looks SO delicious. I cannot WAIT to make this part of my dinner routine!! *Deletes takeout restaurant’s number from phone*
BA HA HA!!! You crack me up Karly! N x
Thank you for this, Nagi. Most useful and looks delicious. Does Dozer like noodles as much as my Molly? One of my dogs likes noodles better than anything.
He eats everything!! Does Molly make a total mess of herself eating noodles? I have visions of noodles slapping all around her mouth!!! 🙂