Chow Mein Recipe: Quick, Flavorful Homemade Chinese Stir-Fry Noodles
This quick and flavorful chow mein recipe combines tender noodles with crisp vegetables and savory sauces for an authentic Chinese stir-fry experience at home.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 8 oz egg or chow mein noodles (or lo mein; rice noodles for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (canola or peanut oil)
- 1 small yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced; about 1 tsp)
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger (grated or 1 tsp jarred ginger paste)
- 1 cup shredded cabbage (green or napa)
- 1 medium carrot (julienned or thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (thinly sliced, any color)
- 2 green onions green onions (sliced on the diagonal)
- 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (Kikkoman recommended)
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian mushroom stir-fry sauce)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (toasted for extra aroma)
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper (optional, but authentic)
- Pinch sugar (balances the salty notes)
- 6 oz protein of choice (diced chicken breast, peeled shrimp, or cubed extra-firm tofu)
Instructions
- Cook noodles until al dente, drain, toss with 1 tsp oil, and set aside.
- Heat oil in wok over medium-high; stir-fry onion for 1 min, then add garlic and ginger.
- Add protein; cook until done (chicken 3-4 min, shrimp 2 min per side, tofu until golden).
- Push ingredients aside, cook carrots and bell pepper for 1 min, then add cabbage and green onions; stir-fry 1 min.
- Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar; add broth if needed. Toss noodles to coat.
- Remove from heat, garnish with remaining green onions, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, garnish with toasted sesame seeds or a wedge of lime.