Delicious Chow Mein Recipe

Chow Mein is a traditional Chinese snack popular throughout China. The main ingredients include noodles, eggs, shredded meat, baby bok choy, and scallions. It is known for its delicious taste and nutritional richness. Whether enjoyed at street food stalls or on family dining tables, Chow Mein is a beloved dish among people.

6 Reviews
6 Comments
POSTED:27/06/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:1-2 servings
Total:20 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:5 min

Many people love Chow Mein, whether for a main meal or a late-night snack—it's always a great choice. However, many struggle to cook it well, often ending up with noodles that are clumpy, stick to the pan, and don't taste good. Today, I'll share with you a recipe and some tips for making delicious homemade Chow Mein.


1.About Chow Mein:

Chow Mein is a classic dish in Chinese home cooking, primarily made with noodles as the main ingredient. The ingredients for Chow Mein are highly versatile and can be adjusted according to personal taste preferences. Common ingredients include vegetables such as onions, carrots, bean sprouts, and greens. The fresh combination of these ingredients provides Chow Mein with balanced nutrition and rich textures.


2.Tips for delicious Chow Mein:

①Many people often overlook the pre-treatment step of noodles when making Chow Mein. The correct method is to first boil the noodles until they are slightly cooked, then immediately rinse them with cold water. This not only stops the cooking process to prevent the noodles from becoming too soft but also effectively prevents them from sticking together. Next, evenly coat the noodles with a moderate amount of cooking oil. This step forms a protective layer on the surface of the noodles, making them less likely to stick to the pan and form clumps during stir-frying.

②The heat level and amount of oil are critical factors that determine the success of Chow Mein. When cooking Chow Mein, it's important to heat the oil to about 70% of its maximum temperature first. This ensures that the dish is fragrant without being greasy. If the oil temperature is too low, the ingredients may absorb too much oil and become greasy. On the other hand, if the oil temperature is too high, it can easily burn the bottom of the noodles.

Controlling the heat is also crucial. Chow Mein should be quickly stir-fried over high heat to ensure even heating of the noodles, resulting in a better texture and taste.

③The sequence and proportion of seasoning ingredients have a decisive impact on the final taste of Chow Mein. Typically, start by adding light soy sauce and dark soy sauce for color enhancement. Next, add salt and chicken bouillon for seasoning. Finally, include a moderate amount of five-spice powder and white pepper for additional flavor. It's important to remember to add seasoning ingredients gradually and in small amounts during the cooking process to ensure even distribution and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.


3.How long should you boil the noodles for Chow Mein?

Before making Chow Mein, boil the noodles until they are about 8-9 minutes cooked. When stir-frying, they should be heated further. Overcooking the noodles will make them too soft and affect their texture.


4.Chow Mein, Braised Noodles, and Steamed Noodles differ in several ways:

At first glance, they may look quite similar, but their preparation methods vary. Chow Mein uses pre-cooked "Chow Mein noodles," quickly stir-fried with vegetables for a convenient and fast dish. Braised Noodles and Steamed Noodles, on the other hand, follow traditional methods, from the selection of noodles to cooking processes and seasoning. Braised Noodles often involve simmering, while Steamed Noodles are typically steamed, with seasoning emphasizing broth-based flavors. Chow Mein, in contrast, focuses on high-heat stir-frying: the noodles are quickly tossed in hot oil with vegetables, creating a dish that's vibrant and full of flavor. The key is to stir-fry over high heat, ensuring each ingredient is cooked to perfection.


Now, let's apply the above information to a practical Chow Mein recipe. Here's a simple and delicious Chow Mein recipe that you can try out. It won't disappoint you!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 100g of dried noodles

ACCESSORIES

  • 1 tomato
  • 4 leaves of cabbage

SEASONINGS

  • 2 shallots
  • 2 tablespoons of rapeseed oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the ingredients: shred the cabbage into medium strips; cut the tomato into wedges; slice the shallots thinly; and have the rapeseed oil ready!

Tip:

Choose ripe tomatoes for better flavor and texture when cooking. Avoid using unripe tomatoes as they can be too acidic and less tasty.

Prepare cabbage, tomato, and shallots. Use ripe tomatoes for better flavor. Have rapeseed oil ready.

STEP 2

Boil water and cook the noodles until they are about 6 minutes tender. Remove and rinse with cold water.

Tip:

Do not overcook the noodles, as they can become sticky and lose their texture if cooked too long.

Boil noodles for 6 minutes, rinse with cold water to avoid stickiness. Avoid overcooking.

STEP 3

Heat rapeseed oil in a pan.

Heat rapeseed oil in pan.

STEP 4

Add the shredded cabbage and tomato wedges directly into the hot oil in the pan. Stir-fry over high heat and add a pinch of salt simultaneously.

Stir-fry shredded cabbage and tomatoes with salt in hot oil.

STEP 5

Stir-fry the tomatoes and shredded cabbage until they are partially cooked.

Stir-fry tomatoes and cabbage until partially cooked.

STEP 6

Add the cooked noodles into the pan, pour in soy sauce over the noodles, and continue stir-frying over high heat.

Stir-fry cooked noodles with soy sauce in a pan over high heat.

STEP 7

Stir-fry the noodles and vegetables together until well mixed. Then, add the sliced shallots, stir-fry briefly until evenly distributed, and it's ready to serve.

Stir-fry noodles, vegetables, & shallots for a quick & delicious dish.

STEP 8

Serve the Chow Mein on a plate, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to enhance flavor and nutrition.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on Chow Mein for flavor and nutrition.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Delicious Chow Mein Recipe
  • Main Ingredients:3
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:238 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 223 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):153 kcal
    7%
  • Protein:5.08 g
    10%
  • Fat:0.43 g Why gray?
    1%
  • Carbohydrates:32.32 g
    14%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 12%
    18 kcal
  • Fat: 2%
    4 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 86%
    131 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
7:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
HazelOctober 12, 2024

What should I do if the noodles stick to the pan easily when frying?
reply:
October 14, 2024
You can add more oil before stir-frying the noodles and stir-fry them quickly over medium heat while being careful to shake the pan from time to time.
VictorSeptember 27, 2024

This chow mein recipe is easy and great for a quick dinner.
reply:
September 29, 2024
Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy making this quick meal.
OliveSeptember 15, 2024

Can I use whole wheat noodles instead of regular noodles?
reply:
September 17, 2024
Yes, whole wheat noodles will make the chow mein noodles healthier, although the texture may be slightly harder.
ElizabethJuly 23, 2024

This chow mein recipe is just perfect! It's full of flavor and so easy to make.
JunJune 30, 2024

Lazy Instant Noodles in 10 Minutes 🍜 Excellent!
jieJune 30, 2024

Huge flavor 😭 spicy and refreshing can't stop ‼️
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