Easy 20-Minute Lo Mein Style Chinese Noodles are the perfect quick, easy and flavourful, Asian noodle recipe. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a delicious meal prep option, this recipe shines.
If you love the simplicity and taste of these lo mein-style Chinese noodles, then you'll want to see all of my quick Asian dinner recipes! Try this beef stir fry, turkey stir fry, and our 15-minute vegetable noodle stir fry. They will satisfy your cravings for savoury, umami, sweet, and salty flavours. All the recipes are beginner-friendly, quick meals perfect for weeknight dinners.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Efficiency: Ready in just 20 minutes, it fits seamlessly into any schedule.
- Customisability: With options to swap proteins and vegetables, it caters to all dietary needs, and what you happen to have on hand.
- Flavour depth: The combination of authentic sauces and fresh ingredients delivers a rich, umami-packed taste.
- Healthy alternative to takeout: Offering a healthy mix of protein, veggies, and carbs, this recipe skips excess oil and sugars and opts for extra vegetables and lean proteins.
🧾 Ingredients overview
- Wheat Flour Noodles: The ideal base, providing a soft, chewy texture.
- Proteins: Chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu - pick your favourite or mix and match.
- Vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, and bok choy add colour, crunch, and nutrition.
- Sauces: Soy sauce and sesame oil form the rich, savoury backbone, enhanced by a hint of sugar.
- Aromatics: Garlic and ginger are indispensable for their depth of flavour.
- Oil: Vegetable or peanut oil is preferred for its high smoke point, perfect for stir-frying.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Lo mein style noodles step-by-step
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice your vegetables and protein into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the noodles according to package instructions until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- Stir-Fry: Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. Add the proteins and stir-fry until nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add more oil if needed, and stir-fry the vegetables with garlic and ginger until just tender.
- Combine: Return the protein to the pan with the vegetables. Add the noodles and sauce ingredients, tossing everything together until well coated and heated through.
- Serve: Dish out your Chinese noodles garnished with green onions or sesame seeds.
📖 Variations
- Vegetarian lo mein: Skip the meat and double up on the veggies, or use tofu.
- Spicy lo mein: Add chilli sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a kick.
- Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free noodles.
- Chinese noodle add-ins: Bean sprouts, pac choi, spinach, water chestnuts and mushrooms all make great additions to this Asian noodle bowl.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: In a skillet over medium heat, add a little water or additional soy sauce to prevent drying out.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Noodle selection: Choosing the right noodle type can make or break your lo mein. Soft, fresh noodles are best, but dried noodles work well too.
- High heat: For that authentic stir-fry flavour, keep your pan hot! It cooks the food quickly and adds a subtle smokiness.
- Sauce balance: Adjust the sauce to your taste. Starting with the base measurements, tweak until you find your perfect balance of salty, sweet, and umami.
❓Recipe FAQ's
Lo Mein involves soft noodles mixed and tossed with sauce and ingredients after being boiled. Chow Mein features noodles that are stir-fried until crispy before being combined with sauce and toppings. The main difference lies in the texture and preparation of the noodles; Lo Mein is soft and tossed, while Chow Mein is crispy and stir-fried.
Yes, in a pinch, spaghetti or linguine can substitute for traditional Chinese noodles, though the texture will be slightly different.
Rinse the cooked noodles under cold water and toss them with a little oil before adding them to the stir-fry.
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Easy 20-Minute Lo Mein Style Chinese Noodles
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 125 ml natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon chili paste, sriracha recommended
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Thumb-size piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
Noodles
- 300 g boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 carrots, shredded into noodles (use a mandoline, peeler, or spiralizer)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 150 g broccoli florets
- 225 g long pasta, egg noodles or spaghetti recommended
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
For the Sauce
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, chili paste, brown sugar, grated ginger, and grated garlic. Set aside until ready to use.
For the Noodles
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice your vegetables and protein into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and ginger.
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions until just tender, then drain and set aside.
- Stir-Fry: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken (or other proteins) seasoned with salt and pepper. Stir-fry until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add more oil if needed, and stir-fry the vegetables with garlic and ginger until just tender.
- Combine: Return the protein to the pan with the vegetables. Add the cooked noodles and prepared sauce, tossing everything together until well coated and heated through.
- Serve: Dish out your Lo Mein style Chinese noodles garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Peanut Sauce Adjustment: If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water to thin it to your liking. This also helps the sauce coat the noodles more evenly.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to substitute or add vegetables according to your preference or seasonal availability. Snap peas, bean sprouts, or spinach make great additions.
- Protein Options: While chicken is used here, you can easily substitute it with beef, shrimp, or tofu for a vegetarian option. Ensure the protein is cooked thoroughly before adding to the noodles.
- Serving Suggestion: This dish is best served immediately while hot. If you like extra heat, offer chili oil or extra sriracha on the side for those who prefer a spicier dish.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to refresh the sauce.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs—a Cordon Bleu-trained chef with over a decade of experience. I'm here to help you create incredible dinners on a budget. My recipes come with step-by-step instructions and insights from my professional kitchen background. Explore more of my fool-proof recipes and meal plans designed for small budgets.
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