Lo mein is a popular Chinese noodle dish that is made with thin egg noodles that are stir-fried with vegetables and sometimes meat. The name “lo mein” means “stirred noodles” in Chinese. While traditional lo mein recipes often contain meat or seafood ingredients like chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork, lo mein can also easily be made completely vegan by omitting the meat and using vegetarian ingredients. So is lo mein usually vegan? The answer depends on where you get your lo mein from and how it is prepared. At Chinese restaurants, lo mein is not typically vegan as it is usually made with egg noodles and includes meat. However, it is possible to request vegan lo mein that substitutes rice noodles and contains only vegetables. When made at home, lo mein recipes can easily be adapted to be vegan by choosing plant-based ingredients.
What Makes Lo Mein Non-Vegan
There are two primary non-vegan ingredients found in traditional lo mein:
Egg Noodles
Most lo mein noodles are made from wheat flour and eggs. The egg gives the noodles their signature yellow color and rich, chewy texture. Egg noodles contain approximately 1 egg per 3 oz of dry noodles. So if a lo mein dish contains 12 oz of noodles, that’s equivalent to about 4 eggs. For vegans avoiding all animal products, egg noodles are non-vegan.
Meat and Seafood
In addition to egg noodles, lo mein is traditionally made with some type of meat or seafood protein like:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Crab meat
These animal proteins are mixed into the noodles along with vegetables. Some lo mein recipes call for oyster sauce or fish sauce as well, which are also non-vegan ingredients.
How to Make Vegan Lo Mein
To make vegan lo mein, there are a couple easy substitutions to make:
Use Plant-Based Noodles
Instead of egg noodles, use noodles made from plants. Some good options are:
- Rice noodles – Made from rice flour, these gluten-free noodles have a soft, chewy texture.
- Soba noodles – Buckwheat flour noodles with an earthy, nutty flavor.
- Udon noodles – Thick, chewy wheat noodles originally from Japan.
- Glass noodles – Translucent noodles made from mung bean starch or sweet potato starch.
- Vegetable noodles – Spiralized vegetables like zucchini or carrots can stand in for noodles.
Many Asian grocery stores carry plant-based noodles made specifically for stir fry dishes like pad thai or lo mein. Rice noodles and soba noodles work especially well as they can absorb flavors from sauces and stir fries.
Use Vegan Protein and Flavorings
For protein, you can add in extra firm tofu, seitan, or tempeh that is cooked until lightly browned. Mushrooms like shiitake or oyster mushrooms also add hearty texture.
Flavor the stir fry with vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for more umami depth. Skip oyster sauce and fish sauce and use soy sauce or coconut aminos instead. Garnish with toasted sesame oil for nutty flavor.
Load Up On Veggies
The hallmark of a great veggie lo mein is lots of crisp, fresh vegetables. Some excellent mix-ins are:
- Broccoli
- Snap peas
- Bell peppers
- Bean sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Baby bok choy
- Mushrooms
- Green onions
- Baby corn
Aim for a variety of textures and colors for a nutrient-packed lo mein. Crunchy vegetables contrast nicely with the soft noodles.
How to Order Vegan Lo Mein at a Restaurant
Ordering vegan lo mein at a Chinese restaurant is totally possible. Here are some tips:
- Ask if they can make it with rice noodles or udon noodles instead of egg noodles.
- Request for it to be prepared with tofu, mixed vegetables or mushrooms instead of meat.
- Ask them to cook it without oyster sauce or fish sauce and use soy sauce instead.
- Specify no chicken or vegetable broth and ask them to use water.
- Ask if they cook with any non-vegan oil like lard or beef tallow and request they use vegetable oil.
- Mention common allergens like dairy, eggs, and shellfish so they take extra care to avoid cross-contamination.
Polite persistence is key. Don’t be afraid to kindly reiterate that you want completely plant-based ingredients. Ask the server to double check with the kitchen staff if needed.
Homemade Vegan Lo Mein Recipe
This homemade recipe for vegan lo mein is flavorful, satisfying and packed with veggies:
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, finely grated
- 1 lb firm tofu, cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1⁄4 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp chili garlic sauce
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions until just tender. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the tofu cubes. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.
- Add the broccoli and bell pepper. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until starting to soften.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, chili garlic sauce, vegetable broth, and cornstarch. Pour into the skillet.
- Add the cooked noodles and green onions. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Vegan lo mein is a healthy plant-based meal. A one cup serving provides:
- Calories: 376
- Carbs: 61g
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 4g
It’s high in vitamins A, C and iron from all the veggies. The rice noodles offer a gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat noodles. This veggie-loaded stir fry nourishes your body with a rainbow of phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Conclusion
While takeout lo mein often contains egg noodles and meat, it’s easy to adapt this classic stir-fry dish to be vegan. Using plant-based noodles and loading up on fresh vegetables results in a satisfying lo mein that is completely animal-free. With a few simple substitutions and focusing on flavorful plants, you can enjoy all the delicious taste of lo mein on a vegan diet. Experiment with different vegetable and protein additions to create your own signature vegan lo mein at home.