Chicken Lo Mein is a classic takeout dish we’ve all probably enjoyed. We find, however, that it’s getting harder than ever to get a good lo mein these days! Hence the need for this recipe.
A Personal Takeout Favorite
Growing up, having Chinese takeout for dinner was an uncommon occurrence. Usually, my mom or dad would prepare dinner.
On the rare occasion that both my parents were too tired or busy to cook, however, we would order from No. 1 Chinese Restaurant. An apt name, because that particular place made some of the best takeout food I’ve ever had.
While you may think the dishes we ordered from the standard takeout menu were similar to what we were eating every night for dinner, nothing could really be further from the truth. Dishes like beef and broccoli, Singapore Mei Fun, and chicken lo mein were a rare treat.
When it came to Chinese takeout, I ALWAYS requested chicken lo mein. It’s still my go-to when I order out these days, but too often, the noodles lack flavor and are soggy or overly greasy.
Which is why I decided to make it myself, with spectacular (if I may say so) results in just 30 minutes. If you’re a lo mein fan, give this recipe a try! The key to the deep color of these noodles is dark soy sauce, which you can find at any Chinese grocery store.
Best Noodles for Lo Mein
There are two main noodle options for making lo mein: uncooked lo mein noodles, and cooked lo mein noodles. Both contain egg, so they should be yellow in color (note, they may also be labeled “Hokkien Noodles”). The main difference is that the uncooked noodles must be pre-boiled before stir-frying, while the cooked noodles are ready to go straight into the wok.
If using uncooked lo mein noodles, be sure to follow the directions on the package. Boil them until they are just cooked (al dente), dump them into a colander, give them a quick rinse in warm water, and drain thoroughly.
If you’re lucky enough to find them, get the cooked lo mein noodles readily available today from Chinese grocery stores. Give them a quick rinse in hot water to break up the block of noodles, but that’s all the prep needed!
Chicken Lo Mein Recipe Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with 2 teaspoons each of cornstarch, water, and oil. In a wok over high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil, and sear the chicken for a couple minutes until browned. Remove from the wok and set aside.
Add another couple tablespoons of oil to the wok, and add the garlic. After 10 seconds, add the cabbage and carrots. Stir-fry on high heat for a minute and add the wine in a circle around the perimeter of the wok.
Add the noodles and chicken back to the wok and mix well from the bottom up for about 30 seconds. If the noodles aren’t coming apart, add about 1/4 cup water to the noodles to loosen them up a bit.
Then cover the wok for one minute. Remove the cover and add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and sugar. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, and add the bean sprouts and scallions.
Stir-fry for one more minute…
And serve your home cooked Chicken lo Mein!
Restaurant-Style Chicken Lo Mein
Ingredients
- 8 oz. boneless skinless chicken thighs (225g, cut into thin strips)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons water
- 2 teaspoons oil (plus more for cooking)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 4 cups cabbage (shredded)
- 2 medium carrots (julienned)
- 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine (or dry sherry cooking wine)
- 16 oz. fresh lo mein egg noodles (450g)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups mung bean sprouts
- 2 scallions (julienned)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with 2 teaspoons each of cornstarch, water, and oil. In a wok over high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil, and sear the chicken for a couple minutes until browned. Remove from the wok, and set aside.
- Add another couple tablespoons of oil to the wok, and add the garlic. After 10 seconds, add the cabbage and carrots. Stir-fry on high heat for a minute and add the wine in a circle around the perimeter of the wok.
- Add the noodles and chicken back to the wok and mix well from the bottom up for about 30 seconds. If the noodles aren't coming apart, add about 1/4 cup water to the noodles to loosen them up a bit.
- Then cover the wok for one minute. Remove the cover and add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and sugar. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, and add the bean sprouts and scallions. Stir-fry for one more minute and serve.
nutrition facts
Note: This recipe was originally published on our blog on August 22, 2016. We have updated it with nutrition information, metric measurements, and clearer instructions. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
Is No. 1 Chinese Restaurant still in business?
Unfortunately no, Mike. They closed years ago. :(
Sarah, I followed your recipe to the T and I made perfect Chicken lo mein! My husband is half Japanese and he loves this and all the other recipes I have made from Thewoksoflife, so much so that I overheard him telling our son and daughter-in-law that they had to go to your website and start making the recipes on here!
Haha love that, Stephanie! :)
Can I use Bill’s amazing CHINESE STIR-FRY SAUCE for this dish? If yes, how much and what can it replace?
Hi Lihi, you could (about 2-3 tablespoons), but be sure to taste for seasonings and adjust if necessary.
Truly fantastic recipe- sauce not quite right. I will say I followed everything exactly including brand of noodles and found the amount of soy sauces far too low. Could be the brands I used? I ended up DOUBLING the soy sauces and still not the beautiful color in your photos. Easy fix though and turned out delicious!!!! Love your blog :)
Hi Jennifer, it could be due to the brand and possibly because you did not use dark soy sauce?
This dish had wonderful flavor! If I may share a story…my young daughter was helping me in the kitchen. She asked, “how do I put the noodles in?” I said, “Just dump them.” About a minute later, I hear, “Dad, do we just leave them wrapped together in the water?”
Hahah, it’s all a learning experience. :)
Yes, and an experience together we will not soon forget! Thanks so much for the work your family puts into The Woks of Life and for sharing your culinary knowledge, skills, and wonderful recipes!
Delicious..did add a bit if fresh ginger and some chili for an added kick!;)
Thanks so much for the review, Anne!
I just made this recipe, with a few adjustments due to picky eaters, and everyone LOVED it. The only adjustments I made was to remove the veggies. I have been trying to copy my local restaurants chicken lo mein for months and this is as close as it has been!
Nice job Josh, but you must add some veggies next time, and I bet people will love it. Veggies add a sweetness and nice texture to the lo mein. My father used to say that the veggies really make the lo mein dish good! Worse case if they don’t like it is that it’s more lo mein for you lol!
So happy to hear that, Josh! Glad this homemade version lived up to the restaurants’!
Love all your recipes but just putting the noodles in hot water before stir frying did not work. I got the same, precooked brand you showed and they turned out supper sticky and undercooked.
Hi Kashef, are you sure it was the same brand? We’re working on a post about different types of lo mein noodles, and how to prepare each type.