Lo Mein Noodles offer the perfect blend of tender egg noodles, your favorite protein, and a colorful mix of vegetables, all brought together with a deliciously savory sauce. This dish is a staple in Chinese cuisine, ideal for those nights when you're yearning for a dish that feels like a hearty meal straight from your favorite restaurant.
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Rich in flavor and packed with nutrients from the quick-cooked veggies, Lo Mein is versatile, allowing you to mix and match ingredients like chicken, beef, pork, or shrimp to suit your taste. Whip up a batch in your kitchen and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal that's both satisfying and easy to make.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
The ingredients you'll need for making these Lo Mein Noodles are basic Asian pantry staples along with fresh veggies and aromatics. Let's see what they are below.
Ingredients for Lo Mein Sauce
- Soy Sauce: This is the foundation of your sauce, providing a deep and savory umami taste. It's what gives your noodles that classic, mouthwatering flavor.
- Dark Soy Sauce: A bit thicker and less salty than regular soy sauce, it enriches the sauce with a deeper color and a slight sweetness, adding layers to the flavor.
- Chinese Cooking Wine: This adds mild sweetness and a hint of acidity, elevating the sauce with its complex flavor profile. If you don't have it, dry sherry or mirin can offer a similar balance of sweetness and tang.
- Sriracha Sauce: For those who like a bit of heat, Sriracha brings a spicy kick with a touch of garlic. It's optional, so you can adjust the spice level to your preference.
- White Pepper: Unlike black pepper, white pepper offers a milder heat that blends seamlessly into the sauce, enhancing the flavor without overwhelming it.
- Brown Sugar: It introduces a warm, caramel-like sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory and spicy elements, helping to balance the sauce.
- Cornstarch: This acts as a thickening agent, giving the sauce a silky consistency.
- Sesame Oil: This oil brings a wonderfully earthy and deep flavor to the mix. It's great for stir-frying your chicken and veggies, adding that special touch. And if you like, you can even stir in a teaspoon into your Lo Mein Sauce to boost its flavor profile.
Ingredients for Marinating Chicken and Stir Frying
- Lo Mein Noodles: These classic Chinese egg noodles, made from flour and eggs, are your base. You can find them dry or pre-prepared and vacuum-sealed. If you're in a pinch, ramen, rice noodles, or any noodles you like can also work. Just cook them according to the package instructions for the best results.
- Protein: Chicken, either boneless breast or thighs, is my go-to for its tender texture and flavor. But, feel free to use beef, shrimp, or any protein you prefer. It's all about making the dish your own.
- Vegetables: I've used mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers for a colorful and crunchy mix. But you can also use bok choy, cabbage, green beans, or snow peas which are all great options.
- Aromatics: The combination of onions, ginger, and garlic truly elevates the dish with its flavor and aroma.
- Spring Onions: These are the finishing touch, adding a slight crunch and a hint of onion flavor that ties everything together, not to mention they make the dish look pretty too.
How to Make Lo Mein Noodles at Home?
Learn to make authentic Lo Mein with a step-by-step guide featuring photos and videos. From sauce preparation and chicken marination to noodle cooking and stir-frying, master this classic Chinese dish with ease.
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Lo Mein Noodles
Ingredients
For Lo Mein Sauce
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp All Purpose Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese Cooking Wine
- 1 tbsp Sriracha Sauce, optional
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp White Pepper
For Marination
- 1 lb Boneless Chicken Breast, bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp Garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp Ginger, grated
- 1 tsp White Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt, or adjust to taste
For Cooking Noodles
- 14 oz Lo Mein Noodles
- 5 cups Water
- Salt, to taste
For Stir Frying
- 3 tbsp Sesame Oil
- ¼ cup Onion, chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 1 Carrot, julienned
- ¼ cup Mushroom, sliced
- 1 Spring Onion, cut lengthwise, to garnish
- Salt, if needed
Instructions
Preparing Lo Mein Sauce
- Start by whisking together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl until well combined. This blend forms your rich and savory Lo Mein sauce. Keep it aside for now, but give it a quick stir before using it later, as the cornstarch might settle at the bottom.
Marinating Chicken
- Place the chicken in a separate bowl, and toss it with the marinade ingredients until evenly coated. For the best flavor infusion, let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 15 minutes if your schedule allows.
Cooking Noodles
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Gently add the Lo Mein noodles, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For a little extra flavor, I like to add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. Cook the noodles according to the package directions or until they're just soft enough to your liking.
- Once done, drain the noodles in a colander and give them a quick rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep them from clumping together. Set them aside as you prepare the rest of the dish.
Making Lo Mein Noodles
- Heat your wok or a large frying pan over high heat until it's smoking slightly. Swirl in some cooking oil to coat the bottom. Spread the marinated chicken out in the pan, letting it sear without moving it for about a minute. This helps to lock in the juices. Continue stir-frying until the chicken is nearly cooked through and has turned opaque.
- Toss in the onion and stir-fry for another 30-40 seconds, just until it starts to soften and become fragrant.
- Add in your mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers, and stir-fry briskly. You're aiming for veggies that are tender yet still have a bit of crunch to them.
- Now, pour over the Lo Mein sauce you prepared earlier, along with the cooked noodles. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring the noodles are well coated in the sauce and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle in the spring onions for a fresh, crisp finish, give everything one final stir, and then take the pan off the heat.
Serving
- Serve your dish as is for a delightful meal, or explore our serving suggestions section for creative pairing ideas to enhance your dining experience.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Get Ready First: Chop and measure everything before you start. Having everything prepared makes cooking smooth and fast.
- High Heat is Key: Use high heat for cooking to keep your veggies crunchy and fresh. Cooking on low heat can make them soft and watery.
- Layer Your Stir-Fry: Add ingredients based on their cooking times. Start with the ones that take the longest to cook, like carrots, and end with quick-cooking items like green onions.
- Stir Constantly: Keep the ingredients moving in the pan to prevent burning and to cook everything evenly.
- Protein Preparation: If using chicken, beef, or any other protein, slice them thinly for quick and even cooking. Marinating the protein beforehand can also enhance the flavor.
- Use the Right Pan: A seasoned wok is great for stir-frying, but a regular pan works well too. Just make sure it's hot before you start adding your ingredients.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your Lo Mein Noodles as a fulfilling main dish that's sure to hit with the family. But if you want to enjoy it with sides, consider adding the following options:
- Roasted Veggies: Try green beans, asparagus, or broccoli for some extra flavor and color on your plate.
- More Stir-Fries: Add variety with dishes like Szechuan chicken or sweet and sour chicken. A veggie and tofu stir-fry works great too.
- Soups: Start off with a warm soup like hot and sour or tom kha gai to set the tone for a cozy meal.
- Egg Rolls: They're a classic side that brings a crunchy texture and more taste to your Lo Mein.
- Spring Rolls: For a lighter option, go for spring rolls. They're filled with fresh veggies and sometimes meat, all wrapped in rice paper.
- Fried Rice Dishes: It's always a hit and goes really well with Lo Mein for a fuller meal.
- Dumplings: Choose from steamed or fried dumplings to add a fun and tasty element to your dining experience.
- Asian Slaw: A crisp, light slaw can add a fresh touch and balance out the rich noodle flavors.
Storage Suggestions
It's best to enjoy these Lo Mein Noodles fresh and hot, right after cooking, to get the most out of their delicious taste and aroma. But if you do end up with leftovers, no worries! Just pop them in an airtight container and they'll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you're ready for round two, just reheat and enjoy!
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