Chinese Chow Mein (Panda Express Copycat)
Chinese chow mein is a yummy Panda Express copycat you can enjoy right at home! This dish features noodles tossed with a variety of veggies in a savory sauce. The whole meal is ready in under half an hour, making it perfect for the busiest of days!
There’s nothing I love more than ordering Chinese takeout.
But do you know how much it costs to order enough for a family with 4 very hungry sons?
I’d need to take out a second mortgage.
So I love to make Chinese takeout inspired recipes right at home to save my wallet.
And this Chinese chow mein does not disappoint!
It serves 4 and comes together in less time than it takes to run out to pick up my takeout order.
What is chow mein?
Chinese chow mein is a stir fried dish with noodles and vegetables in a savory, fragrant soy sauce blend.
Sometimes you’ll see the noodles and veggies stir fried with meat or tofu.
The exact ingredients and taste varies by region.
Ours is not an authentic version of Chinese chow mein but a copycat of the Americanized dish you’ll find at Panda Express.
What is the difference between chow mein and lo mein?
The two noodle dishes are very similar with the main difference being the sauce.
Chow mein is less saucy and the sauce is more delicate.
Lo mein is a saucier.
Ingredients
To make this you’ll need:
- Lo mein noodles– You can find these in the international foods aisle at most grocery stores.
- Oil– Vegetable oil
- Veggies– Sliced cabbage, sliced celery and diced onions
- Soy sauce– Use lite soy sauce for more control of the salt content
- Sesame oil– A little goes a long way!
- Rice vinegar– Again find this in the international aisle
- Sugar– Granulated
- Hoisin sauce– Chinese barbecue sauce that you can find in the international aisle
- Garlic– Minced
- Optional garnish– Scallions and sesame seeds
How to Make
Making Chinese chow mein right at home is just as easy as going to pick up takeout.
To do it, cook your noodles according to box directions and set them aside.
Then in a large skillet or a wok over medium high heat, cook the cabbage, celery and onion in the vegetable oil, stirring, until the vegetables just soften.
Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce and garlic to the pan.
Cook the veggies together with the sauce while stirring for 1 minute.
Toss your noodles in and gently toss with the sauce until everything is combined.
Serve, garnishing with sesame seeds and sliced scallions if desired!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave.
Tips and Tricks
- You can fill this dish out more by adding any protein to this. Shrimp. chicken, or beef strips all would be yummy.
- Want a little heat? Use a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or drizzle on some sriracha.
- Panda Express’s dish can be fairly oily. If you like this, drizzle extra oil into yours.
Other Chinese Takeout Recipes
Chinese chow mein is a yummy version of the Panda Express dish you can enjoy right at home.
Make it and enjoy!
Want to have an at home Chinese takeout inspired feast?
Try these other Chinese takeout recipes:
- Instant Pot Chicken & Broccoli
- Mongolian Ground Beef & Noodles
- Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Air Fryer Hibachi & Vegetables
If you’ve tried this CHINESE CHOW MEIN, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Chinese Chow Mein (Panda Express Copycat)
Ingredients
- 14 ounces lo mein noodles
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cups angel sliced cabbage
- 3 celery stalks sliced
- 1 small white onion diced
- 1/2 cup lite soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- green onions for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Boil and drain your noodles according to box directions and set aside.14 ounces lo mein noodles
- In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat add your vegetable oil, cabbage, celery and onion.3 tbsp vegetable oil, 4 cups angel sliced cabbage, 3 celery stalks, 1 small white onion
- Let cook while stirring for about 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are just softened.
- To the pan add the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, hoisin sauce and garlic.1/2 cup lite soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp hoisin sauce, 3 cloves garlic
- Cook everything together while stirring for 1 minute.
- Toss your noodles in and gently toss with the sauce until everything is combined.
- Serve!
Notes
- You can fill this dish out more by adding any protein to this. Shrimp. chicken, or beef strips all would be yummy.
- Want a little heat? Use a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or drizzle on some sriracha.
- Panda Express's dish can be fairly oily. If you like this, drizzle extra oil into yours.
