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Chow Mein
Chow Mein is a popular noodle dish in Chinese restaurants. It’s made with egg noodles, vegetables, meat or seafood. I often make it with shrimp but you can also use chicken or pork.
It’s easy to make Chow Mein from scratch with easy-to-get ingredients found at regular supermarkets. It’s convenient and delivers amazing authentic flavors.
Chow Mein Vs. Lo Mein
Many people are confused about the difference between chow mein and lo mein. Chow Mein means 炒面 in Chinese, or fried noodles literally, meaning the noodles will be stir-fried.
In this shrimp chow mein recipe, it means the noodles will be stir-fried with shrimp. Lo Mein means 捞面 in Chinese, which is mixed noodles. So in Lo Mein, the noodles are simply mixed with the shrimp, there is no stir-frying.
Lo Mein is also saucy. Check out my Shrimp Lo Mein, you will see the difference.
Other Chow Mein Recipes You Might Like
Shrimp Chow Mein is Low Calories
Unlike takeouts, shrimp chow mein is low in calories. This recipe is only 329 calories, and it’s a complete meal with protein, carb and vegetables.
This homemade chow mein is loaded with shrimp, vegetables, and healthier and less greasy compared to Shrimp Chow Mein in Chinese restaurant or takeout.
Chow Mein Sauce
Chow Mein sauce is the soul of Chow Mein. It’s made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt and some water. The ratio of these ingredients are very important.
You want a perfect of balance so every strand of the noodles and the shrimp will be flavorful. Learn from my recipe and you will not need another Chinese takeout.
How to Make Shrimp Chow Mein
To make shrimp or prawn chow mein, you will need to get Chinese egg noodles and shrimp. Chow Mein noodles are basically egg noodles.
There are many kinds of noodles in the market; for the best results, go to Chinese or Asian stores to get fresh chow mein noodles. If you can’t find fresh noodles, you can use dried egg noodles and follow the instructions on the packaging to prepare the noodles.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 389 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Shrimp Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 8 oz. fresh egg noodles or steamed chow mein/chow mein
- 6 oz. shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 2 oz. cabbage, finely sliced
- 4 oz. bean sprouts, rinsed and drained
- 1 stalk scallion (cut into 2-inch lengths)
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Prep the noodles according to the packaging instructions. Combine all the ingredients in the Sauce in a small bowl, mix well. Set aside.
- Heat up a wok or skillet over high heat and add the oil. Add the garlic and stir-fry until aromatic, follow by the shrimp. Stir-fry until the shrimp until half cooked or the surface turns opaque, then add in the cabbage and stir continuously. Add the noodles, follow by the Sauce.
- Stir, toss and flip the noodles back and forth for about 1 minute. Add the bean sprouts, stir to combine well. As soon as the bean sprouts are cooked, add the scallion, stir a few more times, dish out and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
This was wonderful! Definitely something I will be making regularly. My whole family enjoyed it, even the picky ones.
This was wonderful! Definitely something I will be making regularly. My whole family enjoyed it, even the picky ones.
Hi Rasa! I’m Sam from Arlington, Texas. Just letting you know that I made some of this today and I think it came out great. I added about a tsp or two of dark brown soy sauce to the mix and it was great. I found though that the dish was a little bit sweet.
Is this normal?
You can cut down the sugar if you don’t like it that sweet.
Dark soy is usually made with molasses as the first ingredient. It is not normally used in chow mein.
Yum! You have so many delicious recipes on your site!
Thanks Laura.
This looks SO good! Chow mein is one of my favorite dishes and your recipe is fantastic! An awesome meal, packed with a ton of flavor, in just 15 minutes… what’s not to love?!