Chow Mein

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What is chow mein?

Chow mein is a popular Chinese street food commonly found in every part of the globe today. Chow translates to stir-fry and mein translates to noodles, which therefore explains its name.

These Pan-fried noodles tossed in a delicious sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and salty, and will literally be your go to meal every Friday night! They’re so versatile, comforting and quick to make. You can make this delicious chow mein with any vegetables of your choice and they’re so kid friendly as well.

Unlike traditional chow mein recipes which use fresh noodles, my recipe uses spaghetti instead. Since fresh noodles are not very common everywhere around the world, I decided to recreate the dish using spaghetti instead.

Can I use noodles to make this recipe?
Traditionally chow mein is made with thin fresh noodles. However, for this recipe, I’ve decided to use spaghetti instead. You can use fresh noodles if you like, they taste incredible too. I don’t think instant noodles will work very well with this recipe, however you can give it a shot!

Why do you use two types of soy sauce for this recipe?

This recipe calls for sweet soy sauce and light soy sauce. Although they are both made of soybean, they both have different colours and flavour profiles. Sweet soy sauce is sweet, thick and dark in colour whereas light soy sauce is salty, thin and lighter in colour. They both are important ingredients in this chow mein recipe and helps elevate the flavour of the dish.

What is mushroom sauce and vegetarian oyster sauce?

Mushroom sauce and vegetarian oyster sauce is quite similar to sweet soy sauce. They are both thick, dark brown in colour, sweet and very flavourful. When added to the recipe, it gives the chow mein an incredible taste. If you can’t find the exact sauce, there should be other similar sauces available in the market with a different name, however, if you can’t find it then I suggest you just replace it with sweet soy sauce instead. If you can’t get your hands on sweet soy sauce either, then substitute it with some vinegar and sugar. Although it wouldn’t taste the same, it will do your job!

What vegetables can I add to this recipe?

You can literally use any vegetables of your choice to make chow mein. I love using tofu, mushrooms, carrots and peppers to make my chow mein. However, you can use any vegetables including peas, corn, spinach, pakcoy, aubergine or anything else! You can add as much or as little vegetables, depending on how you like it.

Can we replace sesame oil with other types of oil?

I wouldn’t recommend it as sesame oil is a flavour enhancer and gives the chow mein a wonderful flavour along with a nutty aroma. However, only if you can’t find sesame oil, go ahead and make this recipe with sunflower, vegetable or olive oil. You can also try making this recipe with chilli or garlic oil if you want that extra flavour.

How can I make this chow mein kid friendly?

Simply, skip the chilli flakes and black pepper and this recipe will be perfect for any child. You can also substitute the vegetables with your child’s favourite vegetables too. I promise you, they will absolutely love it and would want you to make it for them every single week!

How should I cook the spaghetti?

If you are using store bought spaghetti like me, cook them as per the package instructions until al dente. Make sure you boil the spaghetti in a pot of salted water and remember not to over cook them. Use a timer to help you.

How should I serve the chow mein?

Serve the chow mein warm, immediately once they are ready, topped with some spring onions and fried onions. You can grab your chopsticks and dive right in! The chow mein can be eaten on its own, however if you feel like going the extra mile, serve them with some dumplings, gyoza or bao buns on the side!

Can I cook the chow mein in advance?

You can prepare the spaghetti in advance and toss the vegetables with the spaghetti when you are ready to serve them. You can also prepare the whole dish in advance; however, I recommend you to consume it within two day of preparing it. Having said that, this recipe is so quick and easy, you can easily make it on the spot without advance preparation within 35 minutes!

Any substitute for the ingredients mentioned?

You can replace spaghetti with any fresh noodles of your choice.
If you don’t have access to mushroom sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce, you can substitute it with sweet soy sauce!
If you don’t have access to sweet soy sauce, you can replace it with some sugar and a bit of vinegar. Although this wouldn’t taste the same, it should do the trick!
You can replace tofu, mushrooms, carrots and the peppers with any vegetables of your choice. You can use peas, corn, spinach, pakcoy, aubergine or anything else!
If you don’t have access to onion or garlic powder, simply skip it. Instead, increase the amount of salt and garlic you use in this recipe.
The tofu can be fried in some sesame or olive oil instead of vegetable or sunflower oil if you like.
You can use either spring onions or fried onions for the topping of the chow mein; however, I love to use both!

Any cooking tips for this recipe?

Do not overcook the spaghetti while boiling them. If you overcook the spaghetti in the beginning, your overall chow mein will taste soft and mushy. Hence, boil your spaghetti until al dente.
Ensure you cook your chow mein in a wok over medium/high heat for an authentic street-style experience.
Do not be stingy with the sesame oil. It will only help to elevate the taste of your chow mein.

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