Chow mein is a classic Chinese noodle dish that has been beloved for generations. With its mix of tender noodles, crisp vegetables, savory sauce, and your choice of protein, it’s easy to see why chow mein has remained so popular. But when it comes to building your own bowl of chow mein at home, you may wonder what ingredients go well with these saucy noodles. Read on for tips on constructing the perfect plate of chow mein.
Meats
For many chow mein fans, the protein is the star of the show. There are plenty of tasty meat add-ins that pair wonderfully with chow mein noodles and sauce. Here are some of the most popular:
- Chicken: Diced chicken breast or thigh meat is a chow mein staple. Go for white or dark meat depending on your preference.
- Pork: Thinly sliced pork makes a tasty protein for chow mein. Pork tenderloin and boneless chops work well.
- Beef: Thin strips of flank steak or sirloin give chow mein a hearty beefy flavor.
- Shrimp: Plump shrimp add lots of flavor and texture to chow mein noodles.
- Tofu: For a vegetarian chow mein, cubes of firm tofu make a great meat substitute.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs scrambled right into the noodles give chow mein an extra protein punch.
Aim for bite-sized pieces of meat for easy eating. Quick-cooking stir-fry cuts are ideal. The seasoned sauce will infuse tons of flavor into the meat.
Vegetables
In addition to noodles and protein, the vegetable mix-ins are key for chow mein. Crunchy, crisp vegetables contrast nicely with the soft noodles and savory sauce. Try out this tasty veggie lineup:
- Onions: Slices of onion add flavor, moisture, and sweetness.
- Cabbage: Shredded green or napa cabbage gives a nice delicate crunch.
- Carrots: Grated or shredded carrots bring color, texture, and natural sweetness.
- Bean sprouts: These crunchy sprouts are a classic chow mein addition.
- Celery: Diced celery stems add freshness and crunch.
- Broccoli: Small broccoli florets pair nicely with the noodles.
- Snow peas: Whole snow peas bring color and a sweet, crisp bite.
- Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms enhance the earthy flavors.
- Baby corn: These cute little corns make a fun, tasty accent.
Aim for a variety of textures and colors by including both tender and crisp vegetables. Thinly slice or grate denser veggies for quicker cooking. Blanch tougher greens briefly before adding.
Sauce
What really brings chow mein together is the flavorful sauce coating the noodles and mix-ins. The sauce provides seasoned moisture and flair. Traditional chow mein sauce contains:
- Soy sauce: For deep, savory flavor.
- Oyster sauce: Adds richness and depth of flavor.
- Sesame oil: Provides nutty, aromatic flavor.
- Rice vinegar: Gives the sauce a tangy kick.
- Cornstarch: Thickens and lightly coats the noodles.
- Chicken broth: Provides moisture and seasoning.
- Sugar: A touch of sugar balances flavors.
- Ginger and garlic: Fundamental aromatic ingredients.
You can play around with additional sauce ingredients like hoisin, chili garlic paste, rice wine, and chili oil to customize the flavor. Wait until the vegetables are cooked through before adding the sauce, then toss everything together.
Noodles
And of course, you can’t have chow mein without its namesake noodles! The perfect noodles for chow mein should:
- Be long and slender.
- Have a nice chewy, bouncy texture.
- Cook quickly.
- Soak up tasty sauce.
Fresh or dried Chinese egg noodles are the traditional choice. Lo mein noodles also work well. For a gluten-free option, rice noodles hold up wonderfully. Cook the noodles until just tender before combining them with the sauce and other ingredients.
Aromatics
Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, and green onions are another essential component of chow mein. Here’s how to use them:
- Garlic: Mince 2-3 cloves and let them mellow in heated oil before adding other ingredients.
- Ginger: A 1-inch knob, peeled and finely minced, adds nice zing.
- Green onions: Chopped green onions make a fresh, colorful garnish.
Letting the garlic and ginger infuse their flavor into the hot oil really enhances the overall taste. Scatter bright green onion over the finished dish.
Add-Ins and Garnishes
Additional ingredients can take your chow mein to the next level in terms of texture and flavor. Consider these fun additions:
- Roasted cashews: A classic protein-rich crunch.
- Water chestnuts: Canned water chestnuts add extra crispness.
- Bamboo shoots: Canned bamboo shoots contribute pleasant crunch.
- Bean sprouts: Fresh bean sprouts make a nice fresh, crunchy topping.
- Peanuts: Chopped peanuts lend protein and nutty flavor.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves give a flavor and color boost.
- Chili oil: Drizzle on some chili oil for an extra kick.
- Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds provide nuttiness and textural interest.
- Lime wedges: Fresh limes add brightness and cut richness.
One or two of these extras can really make your chow mein stand out. Place larger garnishes like cashews and bean sprouts on top of the finished dish for maximum impact.
Putting It All Together
Now that you know all the components that work beautifully in chow mein, it’s time to put them together for an amazing homemade meal. Follow these steps for chow mein success:
- Prep all ingredients – wash and chop veggies, cook noodles, cut protein, etc.
- Sauté aromatics like garlic and ginger in oil briefly.
- Add protein and stir fry until nearly cooked through.
- Toss in harder vegetables like carrots and celery and stir fry 2-3 minutes.
- Add softer vegetables like snow peas and cabbage and stir fry 1-2 minutes more.
- Pour prepared sauce over and allow to bubble and thicken.
- Toss in cooked noodles and stir everything together, allowing noodles to absorb sauce.
- Check seasoning and add extras like cashews, lime wedges, etc.
- Enjoy your fresh, flavorful chow mein!
Chow mein is all about the harmony of textures and flavors. When you select complementary ingredients and cook them properly, you get a balanced, delicious noodle dish. So grab noodles, veggies, protein and fire up the wok to make your best chow mein yet. Experiment with different add-in combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best vegetables for chow mein?
Some of the best vegetables for chow mein include cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, and crisper greens like bok choy or snow peas. Aim for a mix of textures and flavors.
What proteins go well with chow mein?
Popular proteins for chow mein include chicken, pork, shrimp, beef and tofu. The seasoned chow mein sauce adds lots of flavor to lean meats.
What type of noodle should I use?
Fresh or dried Chinese egg noodles are traditional. But you can also use lo mein noodles, ramen noodles, rice noodles, or pasta noodles in a pinch.
Is chow mein gluten free?
Chow mein can be made gluten free by using rice noodles instead of traditional wheat noodles. Be sure to use gluten free soy sauce as well.
What oil should I use to cook chow mein?
Good oils for cooking chow mein include peanut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or a neutral oil like grapeseed. Sesame oil adds nice flavor but has a low smoke point.
Chow Mein Ingredient Combinations
There are endless possibilities when it comes to chow mein ingredients! Try out some of these tasty combinations:
| Protein | Vegetables | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | Snow peas, bok choy, bean sprouts, baby corn, water chestnuts | Roasted cashews |
| Chicken | Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, onion | Toasted sesame seeds |
| Beef | Onions, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, snap peas | Roasted peanuts |
| Tofu | Cabbage, shredded carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots | Chili oil, cilantro |
| Pork | Cabbage, onion, baby corn, stir-fry greens | Lime wedges |
Mix and match your favorite ingredients to create your own signature chow mein! There are so many possibilities for delicious combinations.
Chow Mein Sauce Variations
The chow mein sauce provides huge flavor. Try these tasty sauce variations:
| Sauce Type | Ingredients | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sugar, broth | Savory, salty, sweet |
| Spicy | Soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, broth | Savory, slightly spicy |
| Hoisin | Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, chili oil | Sweet, salty, aromatic |
| Teriyaki | Teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar | Sweet, salty, umami |
| Orange | Soy sauce, orange juice, orange zest, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar | Citrus, sweet, salty |
The sauce can take a chow mein in many flavor directions. Try new sauce combos until you find your favorites!
Chow Mein Cooking Tips
Follow these tips for stir-fry success:
- Cut ingredients uniformly for even cooking.
- Start with aromatics like garlic and ginger.
- Stir-fry denser veggies first.
- Cook protein until almost done before adding sauce.
- Toss noodles in just before serving.
- Add salt/acid/spices to adjust seasoning.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
With high-heat stir-frying, organized prep is key. Have all ingredients ready to go before firing up the wok. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Pull the dish together right before eating to keep textures crisp.
Conclusion
Chow mein is the perfect quick weeknight meal that still feels special. With udon noodles, crisp-tender veggies, satisfying protein, and a flavor-packed sauce, you can make restaurant-worthy chow mein at home. Combine your favorite ingredients and whip up a customized chow mein using classic Chinese flavors and stir-fry techniques. Whether you go traditional or get creative, chow down on this fresh, fast noodle dish any night of the week!