Description
This Panda Express Chow Mein recipe recreates the delicious, savory stir-fried noodles dish served at the popular Chinese-American restaurant. Featuring fresh chow mein noodles tossed with crisp cabbage, celery, and onions in a flavorful blend of soy, oyster, and sesame sauces, this dish is perfectly saucy, slightly crunchy, and ready in under 30 minutes for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Noodles and Veggies
- 1 lb fresh chow mein noodles
- 2 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup celery, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
Noodle Sauce
- 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir fry sauce)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken stock (or cold water)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch (or potato starch)
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodle Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, chicken stock, and cornstarch. Stir well to form the sauce and set aside.
- Blanch the Noodles: Bring a large pan filled halfway with water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the fresh chow mein noodles and blanch for 20-30 seconds until loosened but not fully cooked. Then drain the noodles in a colander without rinsing to preserve starch for better sauce adherence. Set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, cabbage, and celery, frying them until they are softened, approximately 1 minute.
- Add Noodles and Sauce: Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pan. Pour the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil into the empty space, then add the blanched noodles along with the prepared noodle sauce.
- Toss and Combine: Toss all ingredients together thoroughly so that the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and combined with the vegetables. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately while warm. Enjoy your homemade Panda Express style Chow Mein!
Notes
- Do not rinse the noodles after blanching to maintain proper starchiness for sauce adherence.
- Use fresh chow mein noodles for best texture; dried noodles will require different preparation.
- Vegetarian option: substitute oyster sauce with vegetarian stir-fry sauce or mushroom sauce.
- Adjust vegetable oil quantity based on preference for oiliness.
- For extra protein, consider adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the stir-fry.
- Low-sodium chicken stock helps control saltiness; cold water can be used as a substitute.
