Easy Chow Mein Recipe - WonkyWonderful (2024)

FAQs

What is chow mein sauce made of? ›

All you need is soy sauce, black vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, black pepper, and sesame oil. The flavor that is often missing in homemade chow mein is the tanginess.

Crispy chow mein is usually topped with a thick brown sauce, while steamed chow mein is mixed with soy sauce before being served. There is a regional difference in the US between the East and West Coast use of the term "chow mein". On the East Coast, "chow mein" is always the crispy kind.

Chow mein typically features crunchy noodles. These noodles are often fried or deep-fried until they become crispy, giving them a unique texture and flavor. Chow mein noodles can be served on the side or as a base for the dish, with stir-fried ingredients and sauce poured over them.

“Lo mein usually uses the fat, chewy noodles, while chow mein uses the thin type of noodles that sometimes contain egg.” Lo mein uses fresh noodles that are boiled for a few minutes, while chow mein uses dried noodles that are parboiled for five to six minutes.

Simple sauce: While chow mein sauce is unbelievably easy to make, it still brings a complexity of flavors to the dish. The careful combination of ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce and sugar results in a chow mein sauce that has hints of both savory and sweet notes.

There are many Chinese sauces that are brown just a few most common, soy sause, oyster sauce, sweet bean, Hoisin…

Largely this is a matter of personal taste since both dishes can be made to your preference. If you prefer lightly sauced noodles with some crunch and vegetables with some snap, chow mein might be the way to go. If you like a more comforting noodle with richly flavored sauce, lo mein may be the better option.

Chow mein noodles: I make chow mein with dried Chinese egg noodles, which are usually labeled “chow mein noodles,” “stir-fry noodles” or “lo mein noodles” in American grocery stores.

Although the two dishes may seem similar, the way they are prepared sets them apart as distinct dishes. The sauces for each dish are markedly different, with chop suey usually having a thicker, starchy gravy-like sauce, while chow mein is prepared with a thinner soy-sauce based topping.

Overcooking the Noodles: One of the most common mistakes is overcooking the chow mein noodles, leaving them mushy rather than al dente. The key is to cook them until they're still quite firm, as they'll continue cooking when you add them to the stir-fry.

What is the crunchy vegetable in chow mein? ›

Mix well to incorporate the noodles, bok choy and mushrooms, about 30 seconds. Toss in the scallions (green onions) and the mung bean sprouts. Stir-fry for another 30-60 seconds. The mung bean sprouts should be just cooked, but still crunchy.

Adding too much water to cook dry chow mein will make the noodles too soft and prone to deforming. It's important to ensure you're using the right technique based on which type of chow mein you and those sitting at the dinner table prefer most.

Chow yuk in Cantonese means stir-fried. This dish is a broad term for stir-fried vegetables with any protein you like. The main focus is on the variety of vegetables.

House Special Chow Mein is a classic Chinese dish made better at home! Crispy chow mein noodles, tender velveted chicken, juicy shrimp, crisp veggies, and fresh bean sprouts are tossed in a homemade sweet and savory chow mein sauce that's so easy to make!

Chow mein is considered to be a more authentic Chinese dish than chop suey. While the origin of chop suey is not necessarily established, the historical background of chow mein is far less mysterious. Chow mein, (in Mandarin "ch'ao mien") meaning “stir-fried noodles,” originated in Northern China.

Chow mein is a dish of stir-fried Chinese-style noodles that can be served with proteins, vegetables or gravy. Chow mein is the English derivative of the word chau meing and comes from the Taishan dialect of Chinese. Chau means stir-fried and meing means noodles.

Taste: Fish sauce is much fishier and saltier in flavor than oyster sauce, which has more of a sweet and briny taste to it. Ingredients: Fish sauce typically is made out of a base of fermented anchovies. As its name reflects, oyster sauce is made out of reduced and caramelized oysters.

Simple quick plain chow mein recipe made with egg noodles, bean sprouts, spring onions, and classic Chinese soy sauce seasonings.