In mere minutes, you’ll be dishing up unbelievable flavor with this 20-Minute Lo Mein. Pair it with your favorite protein for the ultimate weeknight meal.
What is Lo Mein, Exactly?
You’ve seen lo mein on Chinese restaurant menus, and it may even be a regular takeout choice of yours. You know it tastes incredible, but what actually qualifies as lo mein?
Lo mein refers to fresh egg noodles that are fully cooked first, followed by a delicious drenching of awesome sauce. Fresh vegetables and/or protein are often added, making it a fabulous meal in one. It’s also a stellar option for meal prep, as it reheats beautifully.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHOW MEIN AND LO MEIN?
- The main difference between these delicious takeout favorites is in the preparation. Both dishes use Chinese egg noodles, and both are typically tossed with similar proteins and vegetables.
- Though chow mein can be made Cantonese-style with a bit of crunch to the noodles, lo mein aims solely for a soft and chewy texture.
- Chow mein is all about stir-frying everything together in a wok or pan. Lo mein’s star focus is the savory sauce, which is gently tossed together with chewy noodles.
- Here’s our easy chicken chow mein recipe, which can be made with or without the chicken.
Vegetable Lo Mein: Protein options
This Lo Mein is deliciously simple and quick. Just stir up the succulent sauce. Toss together with your choice of noodles and you’re in business. Homemade is always better than takeout.
This lo mein recipe is vegetarian, but if you have meat lovers, feel free to pair your tasty lo mein with a favorite protein and you’ve got a nutritious, delicious meal in no time. Super fast protein ideas you can easily add straight into your lo mein include sauté shrimp, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great,) or chopped ham straight from the deli counter.
If you keep your lo mein meatless, try sprinkling in sesame seeds or chopped roasted peanuts or cashews on the finished dish for some healthy protein.
In less than 30 minutes, you’ve just become a dinner rock star. Plus zilch elbow grease. And if you’re lucky, you’ve got lunch or dinner set for tomorrow.
Common Questions and Answers
Fresh lo mein noodles can be found in most Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find them or don’t live near an Asian grocery store, you can use dry spaghetti or linguine noodles.
Lo mein noodles are not gluten-free. The fresh egg noodles also typically have wheat flour in them. For gluten-free noodles, try rice noodles like what we use in Thai Stir Fry Noodles (Pad See Ew)
We don’t recommend freezing cooked lo mein (nor any cooked noodles) as freezing tends to alter the texture. Instead, leftover lo mein keeps well in the fridge and can easily be reheated on stovetop or in the microwave.
More noodles to eat:
- Chicken Chow Mein: How to Stir Fry Noodles
- Thai Stir Fry Noodles – Pad See Ew
- Taiwanese Beef Noodle Bowl (Gluten-free)
- Asian Cold Sesame Noodles (Nut Free)
- Dan-Dan Noodles (Mein)
Try this Easy Thai Fried Rice, Too:
Easy Lo Mein in a Skillet
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 5 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
In mere minutes, you’ll be dishing up unbelievable flavor with this 20-Minute Skillet Lo Mein. Keep it vegetarian or pair it with your favorite protein.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 4 TB less-sodium, good quality soy sauce
- 1 TB mirin
- 1 TB granulated sugar
- 1 TB pure Asian sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Lo Mein:
- 8 oz fresh Asian style noodles (or spaghetti/linguine, if you can’t find the fresh noodles)
- 2 TB pure Asian sesame oil
- 2 TB olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups matchstick carrots (pre-cut from store)
- 1 1/2 cups bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
- Optional Garnishes: thinly sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, sriracha
Instructions
- Boil: Fill pot with generously salted water, and cook your choice of noodles according to package instructions to al dente (be sure not to over-cook.) Drain well and toss with 2 TB Asian sesame oil; set aside.
- Sauce: While noodles are cooking, prepare the rest of the dish: In a bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Set sauce aside. Heat 2 TB olive oil in a large, deep skillet (you can use a wok, but it’s not necessary.) Once oil is hot, add onions and garlic, stirring 2 minutes until fragrant. Add carrots and bell peppers, stirring 3-4 minutes or until softened.
- Toss: Add the cooked/drained noodles into the skillet. Pour your prepared sauce evenly over the noodles, tossing gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly. Serve warm, with your choice of garnish.
Notes
Mirin is a sweet, rice-based seasoning that can be found in the Asian section of many major grocery stores. Note that mirin is not the same thing as rice wine or rice vinegar.
Pure Asian sesame oil is much more rich, dark, and aromatic than regular sesame oil. It can often be found in major grocery stores.
Variations: switch up the veggies with fresh bean sprouts, broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, or thinly sliced napa cabbage. Or, add sauté shrimp, cooked/shredded chicken, or diced ham for protein.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡
- Category: dinner, Asian, main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Lo mein, Homemade Lo Mein, Easy Lo Mein
This looks so good!!
★★★★★
I liked this recipe. Is there an option to mirin? I don’t think I can source that
What a great meal prep dish, so uncomplicated!
I love Lo Mein so Ill definitely have to try this
I love making delicious noodles for my family, and this one looks really a good one. Thank you!
★★★★★
This looks delicious and the picture is take out perfect!
Our favorite meal is lobster fresh from the sea.
I am saving this recipe right now! This looks amazing!
this pic is droolworthy; i crave some now.. and will add some tofu and make it veg
Oh man I love lo mein noodles! Yours look like they are perfect!
This looks delicious. Another great recipe to try
I’ve been looking for lo mein noodles in our local Asian Store, but no luck (or I am not looking hard). I use bihon noodles for my stir fry. I will try your recipe.