When I order chow mein in a restaurant, I have noticed though that they tend to skimp on the vegetables. That’s why I really prefer the homemade version of vegetarian chow mein because I can load it up with more vegetables. Plus, it’s so versatile I can switch it up with whatever I have on hand. And I know what I’m putting into my meal by making my own sauce with the proper balance of oils.
Ingredients
What type of noodles to use
The best type of noodles to use in vegetable chow mein is chow mein noodles. There are two types of chow mein noodles that I love: Hong Kong Pan Fried Noodles These are fresh thin egg noodles that are quite chewy and get crispy when you pan fry them in oil. They are made for making pan fried noodles, and they are perfect for chow mein as well. To use pan fried noodles, you can soak them in boiling water for 1 minute and they are ready to go into the stir fry. Heat Treated Chow Mein Noodle These are cooked chow mein noodles that do not require boiling. They are quite similar to packaged Japanese Yakisoba or Chuka noodles, where you can directly put the noodles into the stir fry from the bag. I like to use the Twin Marquis Chow Mein Noodles when I can find them, because it saves quite some time from boiling the noodles. You can find both types of fresh noodles at the refrigerated or freezer section in Chinese markets or large Asian grocery stores such as H Mart. You can also purchase Hong Kong Pan Fried Noodles from Umami Cart. Dried noodles Dried chow mein noodles are another option if you cannot find the fresh type. In this case, make sure you always cook the noodles 1 minute less than the package indicated, so they won’t turn too soggy during the stir frying process. Spaghetti noodles are another great option if that’s all you have on hand, since they have the same ingredients like chow mein noodles.
Mise en place
When you’re ready to cook, your table should have:
Mixed sauce Minced ginger Prepped vegetables (bok choy, bean sprout, carrot, mushroom, bamboo shoot and green onion) Noodles (boiled and ready to use if not using the heat treated type) Sesame oil (or chili oil)
How to replace vegetables
I like to use vegetables of different colors and texture to make my vegetarian chow mein. Here are some other veggies that are great for this dish:
Bell pepper or hot pepper, sliced Cabbage or napa cabbage, shredded Other leafy greens such as spinach, Chinese broccoli, and yu choy Broccoli, cut into florets and blanched Different types of mushrooms Onions or shallots, sliced
NOTE: every vegetable requires different cooking times. Make sure you add them by the order so they won’t be over cooked.
How to make vegetarian chow mein
To make vegetarian chow mein:
How to serve vegetarian chow mein
A dish like vegetarian chow mein is an excellent option for a quick weeknight meal by itself. If you’re serving a multi-course dinner, you can also serve this one as a side dish. This homemade version of vegetarian chow mein will make you want to eat all your vegetables. Customize it with your favorite seasonal veggies to shake things up every time!
Other delicious vegetarian recipes
Pan Fried Tofu (脆皮豆腐) Asparagus Salad with Mushroom and Eggs Stir-fried Cauliflower with Tomato Sauce Spicy Eggplant Salad (凉拌茄子) Summer Vegetable Bibimbap Vegetable Pan Fried Noodles
