Chow Mein
Updated
Updated
This copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe comes together in as little as 20 minutes! It makes the perfect side dish to your other favorite Chinese takeout dishes or add some protein and turn it into a meal all on its own.
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5 STAR RECIPE
If you love Panda Express Chow Mein, you will love this copycat recipe, and if you don’t care for their chow mein, that’s ok – because I think our version is even better! The recipe is simple, the ingredients list is small, and it’s ready in just 20 minutes. Plus, you don’t have to deal with mall crowds or take the chance that it has been prepared for a while and is starting to dry out.
At home, you can have perfect chow mein loaded with your favorite ingredients anytime you want. I kept this recipe simple, adding just a few veggies, as that’s the way it’s prepared at Panda Express and I like using this as a side for other Chinese takeout copycat recipes (like honey walnut shrimp or beef and broccoli). However, you can easily add some protein to make it more filling if desired.
Don’t miss our lo mein recipe, either – chow mein’s awesome cousin, also ready in just 20 minutes.
Chow Mein (Panda Express Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, , minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 packages refrigerated Yaki-Soba, (5.6 ounces each), seasoning packet discarded, see note below
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, , thinly sliced
- 3 ribs celery, , sliced diagonally into small pieces
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and white pepper; set aside.
- In a large pot of boiling water, add the Yaki-Soba noodles; cook until loosened, 1-2 minutes; drain well.
- Heat both oils in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring often, until tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in cabbage until heated through and a little tender, about 2 minutes.
- Add in the Yaki-Soba noodles along with the soy sauce mixture; stir well until combined, about 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
What is Chow Mein?
Chow mein is a popular Chinese takeout dish made with noodles tossed with a simple sauce, with aromatics like garlic and veggies. The name literally translates to “fried noodles” or “stir-fried noodles” which refers to how the noodles are cooked.
While this Panda Express copycat recipe is for veggie chow mein, it’s often quite common to find the dish with chicken, shrimp, or another protein.
Chow Mein vs Lo Mein
Chow mein and lo mein are two dishes that are very similar and therefore often confused. The difference is in the preparation of the noodles and the sauce.
Chow mein has very little sauce and the noodles are pan-fried after being parboiled, which gives them a somewhat crunchy and oily texture. When making lo mein, however, the noodles are completely cooked before being added to the dish. Lo mein also has more of a sauce and can be slurped.
What are Chow Mein Noodles?
In this recipe, we’re using Yakisoba noodles which are ramen-style noodles you can find in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. You can also find dry chow mein noodles, which would need to be cooked according to package instructions.
Serving Suggestions
Chow mein, especially a simple veggie version like this one, is typically served as a side dish with other Chinese takeout dishes. It pairs well with beef stir fry, beef and broccoli, and chicken stir fry. To round out the meal, you can’t go wrong with some crab rangoon or an egg roll.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Storing leftovers. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat. The best way to reheat is on the stovetop. You may want to add a splash of water or a bit of sesame oil to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, if desired.
More Copycat Recipes:
- Dole Whip (Disney Copycat)
- KFC Coleslaw
- Mexican Pizza (Taco Bell Copycat)
- Zuppa Toscana (Olive Garden Copycat)
- Asian Chicken Salad (Applebee’s Copycat)
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
This is a great recipe. My family loves panda but don’t live close to one and don’t want to spend the on delivery.
I’ve never been to Panda Express so I can’t compare it to theirs, but the recipe is delish! The whole family loved it.
Delicious!
Best copy cat recipe to date! So easy to make as well. Must try for my chow mein lovers!
I am trying to get my kids to start eating something other than nuggets, hot dogs and pizza. I have been trying since they were born lol. This recipe was a hit! Everyone loved it. It’s not a strong flavor and it has a lil sweetness from the brown sugar. I think that helped a lot! Don’t shoot me, I used udon noodles because that’s what I had. Still awesome! And not overly complicated to make. I diced up chicken to mix in too. Thank you!
Very yummy recipe my family enjoyed it.
We don’t live near a Panda Express (crazy, I know!), so it was so awesome to find this recipe. Super easy and a great copycat recipe – we all loved it!
We love it and will be having regularly! Thank you!!