Name: Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 6 ounces chow mein noodles; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 ½ cups sliced green cabbage (about ⅓ cabbage); 1 cup thinly sliced onion (about ½ medium onion); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 teaspoon ginger paste (or grated ginger); 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce; Salt and pepper to taste

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Introduction

This Panda Express-style Chow Mein brings the beloved flavors of takeout right into your kitchen. With tender vegetables, savory sauce, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s a quick and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any night of the week.

A close-up view of a large pan filled with cooked noodles mixed with small pieces of chopped cabbage and carrot, all coated in a glossy light brown sauce. The noodles are thin and tangled all over the pan, showing a smooth and soft texture. Two wooden spoons are visible, one scooping some noodles while the other sits underneath the pile. The pan and background rest on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 ounces chow mein noodles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ½ cups sliced green cabbage (about ⅓ cabbage)
1 cup thinly sliced onion (about ½ medium onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ginger paste (or grated ginger)
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the chow mein noodles according to the package directions. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
Step 2: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and green cabbage, cooking and stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, ginger paste, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce over the noodles and vegetables, then stir well to coat everything evenly.
Step 5: Cook for a few more minutes until heated through, then remove from heat and serve fresh.

Tips & Variations

For extra protein, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu when mixing the noodles with the sauce.
Use fresh ginger if you can for a brighter flavor instead of ginger paste.
Swap hoisin sauce for oyster sauce if you prefer a less sweet, more savory taste.

Storage

Store leftover chow mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water if it seems dry to help loosen the noodles.

How to Serve

A large silver pan is filled with a tangle of thin, dark golden-brown noodles mixed with scattered small pieces of light green cabbage. The noodles have a slight shine, showing they are well coated with sauce, and are spread evenly across the pan's surface. Two wooden spoons rest in the pan, one leaning on the side and the other partially submerged in the noodles. The background has a white marbled texture, and a striped towel is visible at the bottom edge. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles?

Yes, you can substitute chow mein noodles with lo mein or even spaghetti in a pinch, though the texture will vary slightly.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

As written, this recipe is vegetarian if you use vegetable oil and omit any meat additions. Ensure your hoisin sauce does not contain animal products if you want to keep it fully vegetarian.