When it comes to finding the best lo mein recipe, we know better than anyone that it can be tough to replicate the carton of lo mein that your favorite greasy takeout spot is slinging.
But we’re pretty sure that after years and years of *careful* research and observation on what makes a great lo mein and my dad’s years in my grandparents’ Chinese takeout kitchen, we’ve perfected more than a handful of the best lo mein recipes, AKA America’s favorite noodle (okay, maybe aside from spaghetti…).
I remember growing up, we would get a carton of lo mein at the oddest of times—usually as a “snack.” Late at night after a movie, between errands in the middle of a New Jersey strip mall, and on road trips and vacations when my mom wasn’t content with anything but Chinese food––even the Chinese American takeout variety.
I have a lot of memories of us sitting in a car somewhere random, passing one big takeout carton of beef lo mein back and forth among the four of us like a peace pipe—maybe with a little swipe of chili oil tossed in as my sister and I got older. At about $5 or $6, it couldn’t be beat! Who wants a granola bar when you can have a few bites of lo mein amiright?
We’ve found that today, it’s becoming harder and harder to find a superior Chinese takeout spot, which means lots of disappointing, bland and greasy orders of lo mein. Hence, why we’ve rounded up all the classic lo mein recipes you need, with different variants for you to try when you’re feeling adventurous. From chicken lo mein and beef lo mein to vegetable lo mein, we’ve got you covered with the best lo mein recipes!
In case you’re wondering about the noodles, most of these recipes call for fresh, pre-cooked lo mein noodles—see this picture for the brand we typically use, but you can also check out our ingredients page on Chinese Noodles and Wrappers for more info! If using cooked noodles, you do not have to boil them before using them in your lo mein stir-fry.
If using fresh, uncooked egg noodles, however, you will have to boil them beforehand, drain them, and set them aside before throwing them into your dish:
But you can actually use a range of different Chinese noodles, including fresh white wheat noodles, and we’ve even pulled off some of these recipes with spaghetti in a pinch.
While these recipes will help you achieve the perfect results, we often make lo mein when we have a bunch of veggie odds and ends and small pieces of pork, beef, or chicken, and we want a simple but delicious meal. The overall formula is julienned veggies + sliced protein + noodles. Once you’re familiar with the overall process, feel free to make substitutions and experiment with different combinations of protein and veggies!
Chicken Lo Mein – Restaurant Style
The classic of classics—simple chicken lo mein. It’s like a warm blanket—hearkening back to simpler days of no fuss noodles, and for me, more youthful days parked in a mall somewhere in the middle of New Jersey at the food court, sifting through way too many $1 Claire’s surprise bags.
Shrimp Lo Mein Just Like Chinese Takeout
Our Shrimp Lo Mein recipe has plenty of perfectly cooked shrimp and veggies that we can bet is way better than any shrimp lo mein you’ve ever gotten at a takeout place. It takes a little bit of careful preparation, but you’ll never look back once you’ve tried it.
Vegetable Lo Mein
Vegetable Lo Mein is a great side dish and a much tastier way to get your fill of veggies. Sometimes we even make lo mein that primarily consists of vegetables! It’s a great way to use up the random vegetables that can accumulate in your fridge at the end of the week.
Beef Lo Mein
Our family’s classic, preferred order––big strips of tender beef tossed with perfect soy-sauced noods. It really needs no introduction. ‘Nuff said.
Red Curry Noodles with Chicken
We also love using fresh lo mein noodles for other noodle dishes, and this red curry noodle recipe with chicken is pretty much as easy as opening a can of red curry paste.
Ginger Scallion Hokkien Noodles
Hokkien noodles from the Fujian province are popular in China, but also in Malaysia and Singapore. They’re essentially lo mein egg noodles, and this is our simple take with chicken, and lots of ginger and scallion.
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Lo Mein
Okay, so it’s not Thanksgiving—heck, it’s not even fall at the moment—but for anyone who wants to substitute shredded chicken, this is a great recipe to use. Also, perfect if you have leftover roasted turkey or chicken on hand!
Spicy Crispy Pork Noodles (Made with Spaghetti)
This is one of the first recipes we ever posted, but we recently updated it with spaghetti instead of fresh lo mein noodles. The original, while the photos are less than glamorous, is still one of our favorites: Kaitlin’s Special Noodles (Ground Pork Lo Mein). Plus, anyone who’s currently obsessed with Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, this is for you!
If you’re looking for other noodle recipes, head over here!
If I wanted to adapt one of the lo mein recipes to duck lo mein (with duck breast I cook myself), which of these would be most suitable — chicken lo mein, vegetable lo mein or the newer roast pork lo mein? Thank you!
Hi Elsie, I think any of them would work and there are fine differences, but for duck lo mein, I would use the Roast pork recipe, since the duck is cooked and will be similar to the roast pork which as also cooked ;-)
These recipes look and sound amazing! I can’t wait to try one tomorrow. I smoked some pork shoulder roasts and wondered if the smoked pork would be OK to use in lo mein? Whenever I’ve had it “out” the pork has always had sort of a barbeque flavor. Mine are just smoked with hickory and there’s little other seasoning on the meat.
Hi Sherry, I bet a smoked pork lo mein would be delicious!
Thanks for this yummy noodle dish! I grew up in Jersey and worked at a Chinese restaurant in 1980s. This brings back some good memories. I made this last night and the family loved it. I used less oil and sauce and it was still tasty 😋
You’re welcome, TL! Glad our lo mein lived up to the old days :)
Wow, wow, wow! This was “just like takeout” ONLY BETTER. I used fresh lo mien, I couldn’t find the bag. It came out perfectly. Thank you for making Chinese so easy. Keep cooking…
Thanks, Nikki! That’s always the goal ^_^
We recently really enjoyed a dish of what was called “Dry Lo Mein”. In our case it had BBQ Pork slices laid on top. I’m trying to duplicate this very simple, dry plain noodle. I know it must be very easy, but nowhere can I find a plain, simple ‘dry lo mein’ recipe. l have fresh thin HK noodles and everything like soy, sesame oil, oyster sauce, fish sauce, etc. available to put into the mix if needed but need a recipe, Can you help?
Hi DH, Not sure what you’re specifically describing, but we have a couple of noodle recipes that may be similar. One is in the style of HK noodles, where you cook the noodles dry and pour sauce over them (gai see chow mein). Another is a steamed dry lo mein noodle recipe by Judy.
RECIPES LOOK GREAT
CANT WAIT TO COOK SOME
Hi Robert, definitely give them a try and you won’t be disappointed!
Hi!
Quick question about the noodles — my grocery store has the Twin Marquis noodles, but they come frozen. I recently bought the cooked noodles and have them stored in my freezer.
Would you recommend boiling them to warm them up or just thaw and then use in the recipe like fresh noodles?
Can’t wait to try all these recipes!
Thank you!
Hi Christina, you should be able to thaw them and use them as is. If they are dry, you can dip them in boiling water and take them out right away. Any more than that and they will be waterlogged and heavy.
Hello, I just love your recipes. I have been overindulging on the lo mien life that I am now trying the Miracle Noodle and it is just as terrific!!! Have you ever tried this plant base noodle, it is great, using your recipes! Thank you again!!
Hi Vida, we have never tried the Miracle noodle, but thanks for letting us know. :)
You are right about the state of take out. It’s abysmal, at least where i live. I stopped eating lo mein years ago, because what i get is horrid. However, i will definitely give these a try. I have had great luck with your other recipes and often tell people your site is the go to for asian recipes.
Thanks again
Eileen from Pennsylvania
Hi Eileen, hope you enjoy the lo mein! It may take some iterations and practice to make it just like you want it, but totally worth it in the end.