Ever wondered what sets Chow Mein and Lo Mein apart? These two popular Chinese noodle dishes may seem similar, but they have some key differences that make each one unique.
In this post, I’ll break down the differences between Chow Mein and Lo Mein, so you can confidently choose your favorite or even try making them at home!
Contents
All About Chow Mein
Chow Mein is a dish of stir-fried noodles mixed with vegetables and the sauce of your choice. The name chow mein comes from the Chinese words “Chao” and “mein.” When combined, it means fried noodles.
Chow mein was probably invented by Chinese immigrants in the United States. While it is now associated with Guangdong (Canton) cuisine, it is believed migrants first prepared it in North America.
Varieties of Chow Mein:
There are two main varieties in which Chow Mein is served. Most people are familiar with the type of Chow Mein which is made in Cantonese restaurants and is served on a bed of crunchy fried noodles.
Steamed Chow Mein
Steamed chow mein dish is common in Northern China. The noodles are pan-fried before being steamed with vegetables and often meat or seafood. The steamed noodles are then combined with soy sauce before being served.
Crisp Chow Mein
Crisp chow mein dish is common in Western China. The steamed noodles are mixed with sauce and then deep-fried until crispy. This dish often contains a small amount of meat, usually pork or chicken. You can also try dark soy sauce or light soy sauce as per your preference.
Chow Mein Noodles
These are a type of Cantonese noodle, dried and prepared in a manner very similar to Italian pasta. The noodles are available in various thicknesses and widths, but they are all made from wheat flour.
Fresh egg noodles may also be used as a substitute for dried noodles and are often found in chow mein ingredients.
When purchasing noodles for chow mein, be sure to check the cooking instructions on the package.
Some noodles require a brief boiling before they are added to the dish, while others must be stir-fried before serving.
How to Identify Chow Mein?
Usually, these fresh noodles are crispy, oily, and served on top of soft veggies. They are served with a very small quantity of sauce which is very thick. Chow Mein noodles are dry, while Lo Mein noodles are either wet or semi-wet. Hence it is known as a saucy noodle dish.
Is Chow Mein Spicy?
Chow mein is not spicy in and of itself, but it can be flavored with spices and chili oil to add flavor and reduce the sweetness of some chow mein sauces. Simply add red pepper flakes to give your dish an edge or add bell peppers to the same dish.
What To Serve With Chow Mein?
It’s typically served with vegetables and soy sauce, such as soy or oyster sauce. The dish can also be served with meat or tofu to make it a well-balanced meal.
Chow mein is also often served with Cantonese roast pork, which adds flavor and color to the dish.
You can purchase ready-to-serve chow mein at most Asian grocery stores, and it is also relatively easy to prepare.
Chinese vegetables are often used in chow mein recipes but feel free to use your favorite vegetables. If you want to make vegetable lo mein, try adding carrots or broccoli for increased flavor and color!
All About Lo Mein
Lo mein is a type of Chinese noodle dish that is made by cooking Chinese noodles in a meat and/or vegetable broth. The noodles are then served with the gravy of your choice, typically soy sauce or oyster sauce, along with vegetables and meat.
Lo mein is also known as “lomein” or “lmian” in some parts of China. Lo Mein translates to “noodles with gravy.“
The origins of lo mein are somewhat unclear, as the dish is a type of noodle that hails from Northern China, where wheat was more difficult to grow. Despite this, the dish is especially popular in Shanghai and Guangdong (Canton) provinces.
Is Lo Mein Healthy?
While the dish is typically prepared with white flour, lo mein can also be made with shirataki noodles. These noodles are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, making them a healthy substitute.
Lo mein is typically stir-fried with vegetables and soy sauce to create a savory dish that is also hearty and filling due to the addition of meat or tofu.
Lo mein recipes can include but are not limited to the following:
- Vegetable Lo Mein
- Beef Lo Mein
- Chicken Lo Mein
- Shrimp Lo Mein
More About Lo Mein Noodles
Lo mein noodles are thicker than most types of Chinese noodles, but they are also made from wheat flour. When purchasing wheat flour noodles, check the packaging for instructions.
The noodles may need to be stir-fried before use, although some lo mein noodles only require a brief boiling before use. Either way, these tossed noodles along with lo mein ingredients create a delicious dish.
What to Serve With Lo Mein?
It depends on how you’re serving it, but typically lo mein is served with vegetables and sauce such as soy sauce. It can also be served with meat or tofu.
You can also add fresh garlic and ginger to the dish for extra flavor and health benefits, making it a well-rounded meal.
What’s the Difference Between Chow Mein and Lo Mein??
While both lo and chow mein dishes are found across Asia, they have very different origins and lineages of preparation. They can be prepared similarly, but they’re also often eaten very differently.
The following points will help us identify the difference!
Cooking Style
The cooking method is the first step to distinguish between lo mein and chow mein.
Chow Mein is first soaked in water (about 30 minutes at room temperature) to make it soft. Then it is cooked on high heat in the wok to create fried and crunchy noodles.
The ingredient of chow mein is mainly vegetables and a sauce which makes it flavorful without being spicy.
You keep adding the ingredients as you cook it. You can add bean sprouts, green onion, bok choy, broccoli, carrots or cauliflower to your dish as you prepare chow mein.
In contrast, lo mein is never soaked in water before cooking. And instead of wok frying, the noodles are boiled and then other ingredients are added to make a stir fry.
If you don’t know the difference between the two Chinese dishes, you could easily confuse chow mein with lo mein.
Wok Technique
Chow Mein uses a small amount of sesame oil and is cooked on high heat. The vegetables are added continuously to stir fry them evenly. Chicken lo mein on the other hand is cooked and then all ingredients are added together.
Therefore, lo mein does not need additional oil for stir-frying the vegetables since the noodles will provide enough “fat” for stir-frying.
Texture
I would say that lo mein is crunchier than chow mein because lo mein noodles are thick and firm which provides optimum texture, while chow mein noodles are thin and soft.
Lastly, lo mein noodles are thicker while chow mein noodles are more delicate cooked noodles.
Other Recipe to Serve With Both Chow Mein and Lo Mein
There are many delicious Chinese recipes you can serve with both lo mein and chow mein. Some of our favorite Chinese dishes include:
You can also try making chow mein or lo mein noodles at home.
Chinese Instant Pot Recipes You Will Love
We have collected the most popular Chinese instant pot chow mein recipes to serve with both lo mein and chow mein. When making a Chinese egg noodles dish, you can use either lo mein or chow mein noodles.
Here Are Some of Our Favorite Recipes. Give Them a Try!
Instant Pot Chicken Chow Mein
This delicious recipe is easy and simple to cook and tastes so good! Try this chicken chow mein today! This recipe will satisfy your cravings. Also, make sure to try it when your friends and family come over.
Instant Pot Panda Express Chow Mein
Try copycat panda express chow mein in your Instant Pot today! It only takes 5 minutes of pressure cooking! It tastes just like the original chow mein you get from your local Chinese restaurant.
Chinese Lo Mein in 20 Minutes
This Chinese lo Mein dish is tender, delicious, and packed with flavor. Make Chinese lo mein in 20 minutes using your Instant Pot.
Enjoy these chow mein recipes the next time you plan on making Chinese food.
Now Which One To Choose?
Both chow mein and lo mein are equally delicious. It depends on your personal preference for which noodles you use and the cooking methods you choose to make your chow mein or lo mein.
You can use either noodles to make chow mein or lo mein. You should try out different Chinese noodle dishes using both types of noodles to see which you prefer.
FAQs
It depends on where you’re getting the dish from. Lo mein and chow mein are typically eaten in different regions of China. Lo mein is more common in southern regions of China, especially Shanghai. As per taste, both dishes are equally delicious.
Chow mein noodles are typically thicker than lo mein noodles. You can use either type of noodles to make chow mein or lo mein. According to taste, feel free to pick whatever noodle you like best for this dish.
Lo mein noodles are considered soft noodles. You can use either chow mein or lo mein noodles to make Chinese noodle dishes such as lo mein and chow mein. Both types of noodles are simple to make and taste delicious with any Chinese dish.
No, chow mein does not taste like lo mein. It’s usually thicker and has a spicier flavor when compared to lo mein. You can use either noodles to make chow mein or lo mein, according to your preference.
Though both lo mein and chow mein are made with noodles, they taste somehow different. Lo mein has a sweeter and less spicy flavor compared to chow mein. You can use either noodles to make chow mein or lo mein, it’s your choice.
The main difference lies in the way you cook it. Lo mein is more of a stir-fried noodle dish while chow mein is deep-fried and then cooked in a light sauce, but you can use either noodle to make chow mein or lo mein, based on your taste.
Wrapping Up
In summary, both Chow Mein and Lo Mein are delightful Chinese noodle dishes that bring unique flavors and textures to the table.
While Chow Mein features crispy, stir-fried noodles often accompanied by vegetables and a variety of sauces, Lo Mein offers a softer, more sauce-laden experience with thicker noodles.
Whether you lean towards the crunch of Chow Mein or the comforting embrace of Lo Mein, both dishes can be easily customized with your favorite ingredients.
So, the next time you’re craving Chinese food, don’t hesitate to try both and discover your favorite!
