Description
This Cantonese Chow Mein features tender beef strips and vibrant vegetables stir-fried with crispy noodles. It’s a quick and satisfying dish that brings together rich flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz chow mein egg noodles (thin fresh noodles, Hong-Kong style)
- 1/2 small yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 5 stalks green onions (cut into 2-inch pieces, whites and greens divided)
- 2 cups bean sprouts
- 3 tablespoons corn oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (to finish)
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Cook the noodles. Pour boiling water over your chow mein noodles in a large bowl and soak for 30 seconds to 1 minute until softened. Drain and set aside. Avoid soaking them too long, as they can become mushy.
- Make the sauce. In a small mixing bowl, add the dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Mix until the sugar has completely dissolved. This is your flavor base, so ensure the sugar is fully integrated.
- Sauté aromatics. Heat one tablespoon of corn oil in a wok over medium-high heat until hot (you should see a shimmer). Add the sliced onions and the white parts of the green onions, sautéing for 1 minute until they are fragrant and slightly softened. Remove and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Pan-fry the noodles. In the same wok, add another tablespoon of corn oil and heat over medium-high for about 2 minutes until shimmering. Add the soaked noodles, spreading them into a thin layer to crisp up. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring. Flip the noodles carefully, adding one tablespoon of oil around the perimeter of the pan, and cook for an additional 2 minutes until crispy. Avoid stirring too much during frying to achieve that perfect crispiness.
- Add the vegetables and sauce. Once the noodles are golden and crispy, add the sautéed onions, green parts of the green onions, bean sprouts, and prepared sauce. Gently mix everything together for 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve. Remove the wok from heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and toss everything to combine. Serve immediately while hot, garnished with extra green onions if desired. Enjoy the contrast of textures and flavors right away!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Use a well-seasoned wok or a non-stick pan for the best results. Keep an eye on the noodles while soaking to avoid overcooking, and don't skip the sesame oil at the end for added flavor.