Lo Mein Noodles

A hundred cities, a hundred flavors; each city has its unique taste. While noodles might not represent the quintessential taste of Henan, they are certainly the most beloved summer dish. The broth is vividly red, and the added eggs are tender. When the cooked noodles are mixed into the rich broth, it enhances the aroma, making the dish delicious and refreshing.

8 Reviews
8 Comments
POSTED:06/06/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:1-2 servings
Total:15 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:8 min

Lo mein noodles is an ancient traditional noodle dish of the Han Chinese, with a history of over 1,000 years. It is popular in most parts of China. So, how is lo mein noodles made? Today, let me introduce it to you:


1.What is lo mein noodles?

The primary method for making lo mein noodles involves boiling the noodles thoroughly in clear water, then draining them. Instead of adding soup, the noodles are directly topped with pre-prepared hot dishes or garlic seasoning, and then mixed well. The names for this dish vary by region; it is known as "hé lo mein noodles" in some places, "chuáng zi miàn" in others, and also as "héluo miàn" or "yā hé lāo" or "zhá hé lāo." Each region has its unique way of making lo mein noodles and its own distinctive flavors.


2.What is the difference between lo mein noodles and Mix noodles?

Lo mein noodles, also known as "mixed noodles," is a dish primarily made of noodles mixed with various ingredients using a "lāo" method. Its distinctive feature is the rich broth that is mixed with the noodles, focusing more on texture and moisture compared to other noodle dishes. The noodles are tender and smooth, while the broth is rich and flavorful, leaving a lasting impression.

Mixed noodles, or "bàn miàn," are made by boiling noodles such as alkaline noodles, sliced noodles, or Yangchun noodles. After boiling, the noodles are mixed with scallions, peanut sauce, soy sauce, lard, or sesame oil (sometimes with added minced braised pork). The name "bàn miàn" highlights the process of mixing the noodles with the seasonings and toppings, which enhances and evenly distributes the flavors throughout the dish.


3.What kind of noodles are used for lo mein noodles?

Lo mein noodles can be made with a variety of noodles, including but not limited to black squid ink noodles, brown soba noodles, green spinach noodles, cold noodles, purple sweet potato noodles, udon noodles, and colorful mixed vegetable noodles. The emphasis is on the preparation method rather than the specific type of noodle used, so there are no strict requirements regarding the choice of noodles.


4.What is in lo mein noodles?

Lo mein noodles typically includes vegetables and lo mein noodles sauce. The sauce is the soul of the dish, usually made with soy sauce. Soy sauce adds saltiness and flavor to the dish without darkening the noodles like dark soy sauce would.


5.What tools do you need for making lo mein noodles?

It is recommended to use long chopsticks when making lāo miàn to avoid burning your hands. Use a strainer with your other hand to scoop the noodles while draining the water.


Lo mein noodles comes in various forms. Here, we'll specifically introduce tomato and scrambled egg lo mein noodles. If you like it, you can give it a try!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 1 catty Noodles
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 3 eggs.

ACCESSORIES

  • Appropriate amount Thornywort
  • Cucumber

SEASONINGS

  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • Shallot
  • Salt
  • Some sesame oil
  • Vinegar

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

First, wash the surface of the tomatoes and make a small cross-cut at the bottom. Then, blanch them in boiling water for 2 minutes, peel off the skin, and finally dice them into small pieces and set aside in a plate. Wash the shepherd's purse leaves thoroughly and drain excess water. Grate the fresh cucumber into thin shreds and set aside.

Prepare tomatoes by blanching, peeling, and dicing, wash shepherd's purse leaves, and grate cucumber.

STEP 2

Put oil in the pot, add chopped green onions, and pour in the beaten eggs. Add the diced tomatoes and stir-fry until the eggs and tomatoes are cooked together.

Tips:

Beat the eggs until dense bubbles appear; this will result in a tender texture for the scrambled eggs. When frying the eggs, ensure the oil is hot, and you can use a bit more oil. Cook over high heat and stir quickly. This method will yield eggs that are not only soft and tender but also more flavorful.

Cook scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes; beat eggs well for a tender texture.

STEP 3

Next, add a large bowl of water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add an appropriate amount of salt to season the broth.

Instructions for seasoning a broth: boil water in a pot, add salt for flavor.

STEP 4

After the water boils, let it cook for about two to three minutes before turning off the heat. Add a small amount of monosodium glutamate (MSG) if desired; it's optional. Throw in a handful of shepherd's purse leaves and blanch them in the residual heat until cooked. Then, let it cool and set aside.

Blanch shepherd's purse leaves and cool in residual heat after boiling water with MSG.

STEP 5

Prepare the vinegar garlic sauce by crushing the garlic into a paste and placing it in a bowl. Then, add an appropriate amount of sweet potato vinegar or any other vinegar of your choice to the bowl.

Tips:

When it comes to vinegar, avoid using aged vinegar, as its flavor is not suitable for this dish. White vinegar may not be ideal either. I suggest purchasing loose vinegar if possible. If loose vinegar is not available, you can use packaged rice vinegar from the supermarket, as its flavor is also suitable for this dish.

Create vinegar garlic sauce by crushing garlic into a paste and adding sweet potato vinegar. Avoid aged or white types. Use loose rice vinegar for best results.

STEP 6

In another pot, bring a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the fresh noodles prepared earlier and cook until done. Then, promptly remove the noodles from the pot and rinse them in cold water to cool them down.

Boil fresh noodles in water, cook until done, then rinse in cold water.

STEP 7

Drain the noodles slightly to remove excess water and place them in a bowl. Pour the tomato and egg broth over the noodles, then add the shredded cucumber and fresh shepherd's purse leaves. Drizzle with the vinegar garlic sauce, give it a gentle stir, and it's ready to enjoy!

Tips:

After boiling the noodles, it's essential to rinse them with cold water. This not only cools the noodles down, making them refreshing and smooth, but also prevents them from sticking together. Additionally, it gives the noodles a firmer texture. If you cannot consume tap water directly, it's advisable to prepare cold boiled water in advance.

Drain noodles, mix with tomato-egg broth, cucumber, shepherd's purse, and vinegar sauce. Rinse with cold water for better texture.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Lo Mein Noodles
  • Main Ingredients:5
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:1.1 kg
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 1084 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):914 kcal
    42%
  • Protein:40.01 g
    73%
  • Fat:14.35 g Why gray?
    30%
  • Carbohydrates:152.68 g
    62%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 18%
    161 kcal
  • Fat: 14%
    129 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 68%
    623 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
16:1
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.

8 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
TheaOctober 07, 2024

I don't have Chinese soy sauce. Can I use regular soy sauce instead?
reply:
October 10, 2024
Yes, regular soy sauce works, but it might taste a little different. For an authentic flavor, you can try to get Chinese soy sauce from an Asian market.
UlyssesSeptember 24, 2024

Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian? What protein can I use?
reply:
September 26, 2024
You can definitely make this vegetarian! Use tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms as a substitute for meat
SophiaSeptember 13, 2024

I can't find the exact noodles for this recipe in the US. What can I use instead?
reply:
September 16, 2024
You can substitute with any firm noodles, such as spaghetti, ramen, or udon. They should work just fine.
WilliamAugust 01, 2024

Can I substitute vegetables like spinach for the shamrocks?
PatriciaJuly 19, 2024

Flexible variations with a silky texture. From vegetarian to meat, Lo Mein noodles are fun to mix and match creatively to suit individual taste preferences and seasonal changes.
AnnaJune 06, 2024

good!
JackJune 06, 2024

The texture of the lo mein noodles when you follow this recipe is unbeatable, the noodles are cooked just right and the broth is rich and unforgettable.
AliceJune 06, 2024

The delicate noodles, tasty broth and a variety of vegetables and meats go perfectly together to make the lo mein a colorful and flavorful meal that is to die for. I love this recipe.
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