If you have not tried homemade Lo Mein noodles before, you are probably wondering what it is. Lo Mein is a stir-fried noodle dish from china made with chewy-slippery noodles, veggies, Lo Mein sauce and protein of your choice.
Check also, peanut sesame noodles.
Did you know you could make the most favourite Chinese takeout ( Lo Mein noodles) at home in less than 20 minutes? Takeaway Lo Mein noodles can often be greasy and unhealthy. You won’t believe how easy it is to make at home.
The right noodles and the right sauce ingredients give an intense, rich flavour to the dish. The dish is yummy and is sure to please all the family.
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The difference between Chow Mein and Lo Mein noodles
Both Lo Mein and Chow Mein are made using the same type of noodles. The only thing that makes the two dishes different is how they are prepared.
The word “Lo” means ‘tossed’. So, it simply means the noodles are tossed in a wok with veggies & noodles just until they are heated. It is saucier with lesser oil content.
The word “chow” means ‘fried’. So, chow Mein noodles are boiled and then fried in oil. The veggies and protein are very minimal while having high oil content.
Why this Lo Mein recipe works?
This recipe can be made in less than 20 minutes. The right amount of dark and light soy sauce adds a deep rich colour and umami flavor to the dish. The slippery noodles and crisp-tender veggies make this dish authentic and flavourful.
The variations you could make with the same recipe is endless. You may use different proteins, and the dish will still taste exactly delicious.
What's in these Lo Mein noodles?
- Chicken breast: The recipe uses chicken breasts cut into small pieces seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika. However, you may use chicken thighs if you prefer so.
- Egg Noodles: You may use Chinese egg noodles, or you could also use rice noodles, spaghetti, fettuccine noodles, etc. Egg noodles are the authentic ingredient for this recipe. You can buy them from any Asian grocery stores.
- Garlic: Make sure to use finely minced garlic.
- Onion: Use freshly sliced onions.
- Vegetables: This recipe will need cabbage, capsicum/bell peppers (I used green and red bell peppers), carrots, green onions and celery. However, feel free to use any veggies you like such as broccoli, spanich or baby bok choy.
- Cooking oil: You may use olive oil or avocado oil.
For the sauce:
- Granulated sugar: Sugar is used to gives a subtle hint of sweetness to the sauce.
- Dark soy sauce: Use good quality dark soy sauce as giving the right colour & flavour for this dish. It tastes richer, sweeter & less salty. The best soy sauce makes the best noodles.
- Light soy sauce: Use low sodium soy sauce.
- White vinegar: Use white vinegar to enhance the flavour of the dish.
- Sesame oil: The oil is derived from sesame seeds and has an amazing nutty flavour. Use sesame oil or toasted sesame oil for the best flavour.
- Cornstarch: Helps create a velvety texture after stir-fry and thicken the sauce.
How to make Lo Mein Noodles?
Making the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornflour with all the other sauce ingredients, use a whisk to mix everything well until the mixture has no lumps.
Cooking the noodles: Cook the noodles in hot water according to the package instructions, then drain well and set aside.
Cooking the chicken: Slice the chicken into small pieces, then season it with salt, pepper, and paprika. After that, add 2 tablespoon of the sauce to the chicken, stir.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute or until the onion softens, then add the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Adding the veggies: Add celery, carrots and bell pepper, cook for 1 minute, then add the cabbage, and cook for another minute.
Assemble everything: After that, add the noodles and the sauce, toss well until everything combines. Cook for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and serve warm.
Top Tips
- Egg noodles give the chewy-slippery texture, but you could make this dish using spaghetti, rice noodles, etc, and the dish will still taste yum!
- Make sure you do not overcook the veggies as they are meant to be crispy.
- Using the right amount of dark & light soy sauce makes a whole lot of difference.
- Have all the ingredients ready before you start cooking, which will make the cooking process faster.
- You may use a wok/skillet, which makes it easier to cook.
- Using sesame oil is a plus as it pairs perfectly with chicken and veggies giving the sauce a rich flavour.
- Cook the noodles until they are al dente, then rinse with cold water so they don’t get sticky.
- If you’re vegan, you may swap egg noodles for soybean noodles, buckwheat noodles, rice noodles or ramen.
- Noodles stick together because they release starch while boiling. To avoid sticky noodles, add noodles into already boiling water and then boil. Rinse them with cold water, then toss them with a little sesame oil and then add it to your wok.
- Remember to heat the wok before adding oil to prevent food from sticking to the skillet.
- Mushrooms are a good addition to this dish.
- There is nothing better than reheating the leftovers, which would taste just as delicious as the first time. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you want a spicier version, you can add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or chilli sauce to the sauce.
- Garnish your dish with chopped green onion or parsley.
- You may replace the light soy sauce with oyster sauce.
- Add chopped fresh ginger to the sauce.
Some Variations
Vegetable Lo Mein Recipe
You may follow the same recipe with all the vegetables you desire and skip adding any protein. These Vegetable noodles filled with crisp-tender veggies in their most authentic style.
Shrimp Lo Mein
Cook the shrimp separately and then add it to the end. Follow the same recipe.
Beef Lo Mein Recipe
You may use flank steak, ribeye, or top sirloin. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces, then cook on high heat for just 30 seconds, and the beef will be ready.
Serving Suggestions
These noodles are best served with roasted veggies, salad or any Chinese side dish. You may serve it with:
- Homemade coleslaw salad
- Rocket salad with parmesan
- Easy baba ganoush recipe
- Spicy roasted cauliflower
- Garlic butter sautéed mushrooms
Recipe FAQs
No, it is best to use sesame oil as it gives the right taste for the noodles.
Yes, adding sugar is an important step as it gives a little sweetness to the sauce.
Yes, you can use spaghetti, rice noodles or vermicelli; based on your personal preference. Using egg noodles gives you the perfect slippery texture. You may use wheat-based noodles as they can hold up the sauce better.
No, it is not necessary to use a wok. You may use a skillet/pot and follow the same recipe.
All you must do is keep stirring the ingredients. The Lo Mein sauce will keep the noodles from sticking.
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Recipe
Easy Homemade Lo Mein Noodles
Ingredients
- 350 g chicken breast , cut into bite-size
- 500 g egg Noodles
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ onion , finely sliced
- ¼ cabbage , finely sliced
- 1 bell pepper , sliced
- 2 carrots , cut into 7 cm lengths
- 6 spring onion , cut into 7 cm lengths
- 2 ribs celery
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
For the sauce
- 1 tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon Dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon Light soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Sesame oil
- 4 tablespoon Cornflour
Instructions
- Making the sauce: Mix cornflour with all the other sauce ingredients, use a whisk to mix everything well until the mixture has no lumps.
- Cook the noodles in hot water according to the package instructions, then drain well and set aside.
- Cut the chicken into small pieces, then season it with salt, pepper, and paprika. After that, add 2 tablespoon of the sauce to the chicken, stir.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute or until the onion softens, then add the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add celery, carrots and bell pepper, cook for 1 minute, then add the cabbage, and cook for another minute.
- After that, add the noodles and the sauce, toss well until everything combines. Cook for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Noodles stick together because they release starch while boiling. To avoid sticky noodles, add noodles into already boiling water and then boil. Rinse them with cold water, then toss them with a little sesame oil and then add it to your wok.
- Remember to heat the wok before adding oil to prevent food from sticking to the skillet.
- There is nothing better than reheating the leftovers, which would taste just as delicious as the first time. You can store leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you want a spicier version, you can add a teaspoon of pepper flakes or chilli sauce to the sauce.
Nutrition
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Amelia
Lo Mein noodles are one o my family's favourite Chinese dishes. We love it very spicy, and I also add some fresh spinach leaves.
Farah
I made this recipe yesterday using meat instead of chicken; also, I added some peas. It was amazing.