Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (2024)

One of my all time favourite dishes at my local Chinese!! Crispy noodles topped with a saucy chicken and vegetable stir fry, this is a CRUNCHY version of Chow Mein. You’ll love how the sauce soaks the noodles so some of it is soft, while some of it stays crispy.

Made healthier by pan frying rather than deep frying the noodles, this is an easy recipe that can be on the table in 20 minutes!

Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (1)

Chinese Crispy Noodles

At my local Chinese, they call this Crispy Chow Mein Noodles. It’s a Hong Kong / Cantonese style dish, and there are a lot of variations but the core of it is a bed of deep fried crunchy noodles topped with a saucy stir fry.

The stir fry topping is much saucier than most Chinese stir fries and thisis because you need plenty of sauce so it soaks through some of the noodles, softening them so they can be slurped up like normal noodles.

But the best part is all the crunchy noodle bits that remain! So as you eat your way through the plate, you get that awesome combo of juicy chicken, tender-crisp vegetables, loads of tasty Chinese brown sauce, soft slippery noodles AND crunchy noodles.

It’s crazy good!!!

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Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (3)

How to make ChineseCrispy Noodles

Typically, the crunchy noodles served at Chinese restaurants are deep fried.

Tasty, for sure, but my skinny jeans aren’t so much of a fan. 😤

So when I make Chinese Crispy Noodles at home, I pan fry them. It means that the very centre of the noodles don’t go 100% crispy like when you deep fry.

But the entire surface area of the noodle “pancake” does get crispy, so as long as you make them fairly thin, you certainly won’t feel like you’ve been cheated of crispiness!!!

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What you need for Crunchy Chow Mein

Here’s what you need for Crunchy Chow Mein. I’ve separated the photos into two components:

  1. Base ingredients – for the sauce and the crispy noodles; and

  2. Vegetable options for topping – there’s really no rules here. Just use around 4 to 5 cups of any vegetables you want.

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Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (6)

Type of Noodles

This recipe for Chinese Crispy Noodles won’t work using refrigerated freshHokkien noodles,egg noodlesbecause they are stickier and wetter so they don’t crisp up as well.

Chow Mein noodles are distinctly drier and a bit crinkly – see image below – and this is what makes it possible to make them crispy in a pan!

Can’t find Chow Mein noodles?

No problem! Just use ramen noodles or instant noodles (see this Ramen Stir Fry recipe for photos). Spray the UNCOOKED noodles with oil and BAKE! (Yes really, it works 100% perfectly)

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The most important part – crunch retention!!

The idea with this recipe is that there’s plenty of sauce, so it soaks the noodles and makes them soft so they can be picked up with chopsticks like normal noodles.

BUT it’s VERY important to ensure that you retain a SOME crunch! What I like to do is to pour the saucy topping in the centre of the crunchy noodle cake so the edges stay crunchy.

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The one caveat I have about these Crispy Noodles is that youwill make a bit of a mess of yourself eating it. Those darn crunchy noodle bits, they stick out all over the place.

So when you try to shovel noodles into your mouth, it’s inevitable that some of those crunchy bits stick out and miss your mouth, so you end up with sauce all over your face.

That’s just part of the fun of eating this!!~ Nagi x

Watch how to make it

More unmissable Asian noodles!

  • Classic Chow Mein– also see the EmergencyChow Mein Ramen recipe!

  • Pad See Ew (Thai Stir Fried Noodles)

  • Thai Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao)

  • Char Kway Teow

  • Singapore Noodles

  • Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles

  • Chinese Chicken Salad – with crispy noodles!

  • Express noodles: Quick Beef Ramen Noodles,Chicken Vegetable Ramen Noodles and 12 Minute Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles

  • Browse the Noodle recipes collection!

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Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (9)

Chinese Crispy Noodles with saucy Chicken and Vegetables (crispy CHOW MEIN!)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Noodles, Stir Fry

Asian, Chinese

4.93 from 68 votes

Servings2

Tap or hover to scale

Print

Recipe video above. Crispy noodles topped with a saucy chicken and vegetable stir fry, my favourite dish at my local Chinese!! Restaurants typically make this by deep frying the noodles. For my home version, I crisp up the noodles in a pan - much healthier, less mess, just as fast and definitely just as tasty!

Ingredients

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (shoasing wine) (sub Dry Sherry, Mirin, Note 1)
  • 1.5 tbsp soy sauce , light or all purpose (not dark soy)
  • 1/4 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • White pepper , one dash
  • 3/4 cup (185ml) chicken stock / broth , low sodium
  • 3 tbsps cornflour / corn starch

Crispy Noodles

  • 200 g / 8 oz fresh chow mein noodles (Note 2)
  • 4 tbsp water , separated
  • 2 tbsp peanut oil (or vegetable or canola)

Stir Fry

  • 150 g / 5 oz chicken , thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp peanut oil , if needed (or vegetable or canola)
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
  • 1/2 onion , sliced
  • 1 carrot * , small, halved lengthwise then sliced on diagonal
  • 1 bok choy * , stems and leaves separated with stems cut vertically into sticks
  • 2 shallots/scallions * , cut into 5cm/2" pieces
  • 2 cups cabbage * , cut into 2.4cm / 1" squares
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) water

Instructions

Sauce & Chicken Marinade

  • Mix the Sauce ingredients EXCEPT cornflour and chicken broth/stock.

  • Remove 1 tbsp Sauce and mix through chicke. Leave to marinate 10 minutes+.

  • Mix cornflour into Sauce until lump free.

Crispy Noodles

  • Turn oven onto low (to keep noodles warm while you cook the topping).

  • Divide noodles into 2 then shape into 20cm/8" rounds. Keep them tangled - this holds them together while cooking.

  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet over medium high heat. Place 1 noodle cake into pan then drizzle over 2 tbsp water.

  • Wait until the water evaporates (steam cooks the noodles), then pat down lightly and let the noodles cook for a further 1 to 2 minute until the bottom of the noodles are golden brown (lift up with a spatula to check).

  • Slide noodles onto a plate, then flip upside down back into the pan. Cook for a further 1 1/2 - 2 minutes until golden brown, then transfer to tray and place in oven to keep warm.

  • Repeat with remaining noodle cake.

Saucy Stir Fry Topping

  • Add an extra 1 tbsp oil if needed, increase heat to HIGH. Add garlic and onion, cook for 30 seconds.

  • Add chicken and cook until it changes from pink to white (still raw inside)

  • Add the carrot and bok choy stems, cook 30 seconds.

  • Add cabbage and leaf of buk choy, cook for 1 minute until they start to wilt.

  • Add chicken broth, water, then Sauce and stir. Let it simmer for 1 - 2 minutes until the Sauce thickens to a syrup consistency (see video).

To serve

  • Place a noodle cake on the plate, then spoon over the stir fry onto the middle of the noodles (leave edges crispy) being sure to use up all the sauce so it soaks the noodles. Serve immediately!

Recipe Notes:

* These vegetables can be substituted with any vegetables of choice (4 - 5 cups in total)

1. Chinese cooking wineor Mirin (or cooking sake or dry sherry) is an essential ingredient for making a truly "restaurant standard" stir fry sauces.

If you cannot consume alcohol, it can be skipped.

2. Chow Mein noodlesrequired in order to crisp up. Normal slippery noodles won't crisp up in the pan. Sold at Asian grocery stores and also at Woolworths/Coles in Australia (Fantastic noodles brand, fridge section), see in post for post and description.

Excellent substitute- ramen or instant noodles! Toss the seasoning pack, spray the hard, UNCOOKED ramen noodle Cale with oil then bake 5 minutes each side at 180°C/350°F. Shape is different but works the same!

3. Nutrition per serving.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 535gCalories: 784cal (39%)Carbohydrates: 97g (32%)Protein: 33g (66%)Fat: 28g (43%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 56mg (19%)Sodium: 1330mg (58%)Potassium: 471mg (13%)Fiber: 8g (33%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 5389IU (108%)Vitamin C: 32mg (39%)Calcium: 98mg (10%)Iron: 5mg (28%)

Keywords: chinese crispy noodles, crispy chow mein, crispy noodles

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Originally published August 2014, updated September 2019. Long overdue for an overhaul – new photos, new video, new writing and slightly streamlined recipe. Most importantly, Life of Dozer section added!

Life of Dozer

You have no idea how much time I’ve invested into trying to get him to “bow” on command…..

Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (10)

Chinese Crispy Noodles (Chow Mein) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chow mein and crispy chow mein? ›

Crispy chow mein is usually topped with a thick brown sauce, while steamed chow mein is mixed with soy sauce before being served. There is a regional difference in the US between the East and West Coast use of the term "chow mein". On the East Coast, "chow mein" is always the crispy kind.

How to eat crispy chow mein noodles? ›

Serve these crispy noodles with Chinese mustard and duck sauce as an appetizer, or use them as a garnish for soups. They're just like the ones you get at a Chinese restaurant. I love to sprinkle them over my egg-drop soup.

What are the crispy Chinese noodles called? ›

Mein gon (面干 miàn-gān), informally referred to as crunchy noodles or crunchy chow mein, are a type of noodle-shaped cracker (or dried biscuit) used in American Chinese cuisine.

What are the crispy noodles in Vesta chow mein? ›

Assuming you are desiring to make crispy noodles, An approximate type of noodle to the ones Vesta use in the Chow Mein product, would be a dry 'Ribbon Noodle', that would come in some regular dry storage packaging. They are usually an egg ribbon noodle.

Which is better, lo mein or chow mein? ›

Largely this is a matter of personal taste since both dishes can be made to your preference. If you prefer lightly sauced noodles with some crunch and vegetables with some snap, chow mein might be the way to go. If you like a more comforting noodle with richly flavored sauce, lo mein may be the better option.

What are the two types of chow mein? ›

There are actually two kinds of chow mein: a crispy version and a saucy version. Calling one crispy is kind of confusing because both versions should be crispy, but the main difference is how the sauce is incorporated into the dish.

What are the really skinny Chinese noodles called? ›

The term vermicelli encompasses a broad category of thin Asian noodles. The noodle must have a diameter of less than 0.06 inches (1.5 mm) to be classified as vermicelli. The most popular type of Asian vermicelli noodle is rice vermicelli.

What is the crunchy white stuff in Chinese food? ›

What are those crunchy things in your stir-fry? They're water chestnuts, and they're surprisingly good for you! You probably already know a few things about water chestnuts. They're white and crunchy, and you'll find them in a ton of Asian-style stir fry dishes.

Are crispy noodles crispy? ›

Hong Kong Crispy Noodles are a Chinese restaurant classic, featuring vegetables and protein cooked in broth, atop a bed of fried egg noodles. The noodles are pan-fried so that they brown just slightly, and the best noodles are crispy through and through – even in the center of the noodle disc!

What happened to Vesta Crispy Noodles? ›

This is because the factory that makes the noodles has ceased production due to low demand and we can no longer source them." So there we are , gone forever are the old originals.

What are the white crunchy things in chow mein? ›

The white Chinese crispy noodles are called "chow mein noodles." They are made from wheat flour and are often deep-fried until crispy. Chow mein noodles are a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are used in dishes such as chow mein and crispy noodle salad.

What is the difference between chow mein and chop suey crunchy noodles? ›

Both dishes are flavorful and satisfying, but chow mein tends to be lighter and more noodle-focused, while chop suey is heartier and more sauce-focused. When it comes to choosing between the two, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you're in the mood for.

Which has crispy noodles chow mein or chop suey? ›

So, how is chow mein different from chop suey? Chow mein is also a dish that consists of meat, vegetables like cabbage or bok choy and a sauce, but unlike chop suey, it is always served with stir-fried noodles. The noodles in chow mein are stir-fried with the other ingredients, giving them a succulent texture.

What is the difference between chow mein and dry chow mein? ›

Yum of China says you have the option to either prepare chow mein wet or dry. Wet refers to boiled noodles, while dry means deep-fried noodles. There's one key ingredient that indicates which version of chow mein will end up on your plate — water.

Are chow mein noodles healthy? ›

Chow mein noodles can be part of a balanced diet if consumed in moderation and with consideration of the preparation and accompanying ingredients. However, they are typically high in carbohydrates and sodium and low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

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