Simple Chow Mein

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One of the classic staples of Chinese takeout is the Simple Chow Mein. Sometimes you want it with a meat mixed in and sometimes you have it with just the noodles and veggies. Either way, being able to make this dish at home, is going to make you a real home cook superstar when you want to recreate a whole Chinese takeaway meal at home – or what we like to call in our house – #ChineseFakeaway.

The type of noodles are the key to success for this particular recipe. I have used a lot of different options and found that the Yakisoba noodles are the closest to what you are getting at your local restaurants. Yakisoba noodles are also sometimes called Steamed Chinese-style noodles. They are a wheat flour noodle made with just water and kansui. This is what gives yakisoba and ramen noodles their distinctive texture. Most often you can find yakisoba noodles in the refrigerator section near the other Asian products like wonton wrappers, rice paper, tofu, etc.

Since this is a simple version of this classic dish, I only added in the bean sprouts, green onions, cabbage and carrots. You could definitely get more creative and add in other veggies. Red bell peppers, white onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts – all good choices. When I say simple, I mean simple. A bag of the classic coleslaw mix – just shredded green cabbage and carrots with no dressing – is the prefect addition to this recipe. Bean sprouts help add to the authenticity of this dish, and a great way to get your family to try a new veggie – as they don’t’ really stand out too much.

This last time I made this simple chow mein recipe, I added in Chinese-style BBQ Pork called Char Sui – because my family absolutely loves it. It is an easy add to noodles or fried rice, as you buy it fully cooked and just have to chop it up and let the noodles heat it through. You could also do some chicken (chopped up and pan fried), beef (strips of steak pan fried) or shrimp (pan fried). You can also skip adding a protein directly to the noodles and instead serve it as a side dish to something like this Garlic Ginger Chicken.

Now Let’s Get Cookin’!

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Simple Chow Mein

This classic Chinese takeout staple, made simply at home!

Course Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Chinese

Keyword bbq sides, bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, chinese fakeaway, chinese food, chow mein, yakisoba noodles

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 2 lb Yakisoba Noodles
• 3 Garlic Cloves minced
• 1 14oz bag Classic Coleslaw Mix shredded cabbage and carrots
• 1 cup Bean Sprouts
• 3 Green Onions chopped
• 1 lb Cooked Meat ie chicken, bbq pork, beef, shrimp – optional
• 3 tbsp Oil divided
• ⅓ cup Soy Sauce
• 1 tbsp Cornstarch
• ¼ cup Oyster Sauce
• 1 tbsp Sweet Garlic Chili Sauce

Instructions

• Prepare the noodles as directed on the package(s). Drain and set aside.
• In a large saute pan over medium high heat, add two tablespoons of oil Once hot, add garlic, half of green onions and coleslaw mix. Saute for 3 minutes then add cooked noodles. Continue to saute for another 3 minutes.
• Combine remaining oil, soy sauce, chili sauce, oyster sauce and cornstarch. Add to saute pan and toss with noodles to evenly coat.
• Add bean sprouts and cooked meat (if using). Continue to saute for another 3 minutes as sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in remaining green onions.