Mandarin Chow Mein
This Mandarin chow mein is full of stir fried pork or chicken, vegetables, and noodles with a delicious sauce. It is easy to make, ready in less than 20 minutes, and a dish that you can feel good about eating. You can alter the chow mein to your own taste by using different proteins, vegetables, noodles or by making it vegetarian.
Ingredients needed to make Mandarin Chow Mein:
- 2 3 oz packages plain ramen noodles. You can use or discard the flavor packet according to your taste. You can substitute other kinds of noodles like yakisoba, chow mein or spaghetti noodles. I used some knife cut style noodles I found at Trader Joes that were packaged like ramen noodles.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 lb lean boneless pork, cut against the grain into small bite sized chunks. You can also use your favorite protein such as chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc. To make this chow mein vegetarian increase the amount of vegetables and leave out the meat.
- Cooking spray
- 3 cups thinly sliced cabbage or bok choy (or use a combination of the two)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 red pepper, chopped
- 1 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained (this adds an element of crunch)
- Sesame seeds to sprinkle on top (if desired)
How to make Mandarin Chow Mein:
- Cook your noodles per package directions, drain and set aside. Cook noodles only to al dente so they aren’t mushy.
- Make the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
- Cut up your meat and vegetables.
- Spray wok or large skillet with nonstick spray. Add pork or chicken to the wok and stir fry on medium high heat about 2 minutes or until the meat is white and just starting to brown.
- Add the vegetables to the wok and stir-fry until they are crisp tender.
- Add cooked noodles and the sauce. Heat thoroughly and stir everything to mix and to coat with the sauce.
- Serve immediately. May sprinkle a few sesame seeds over the top before serving if desired.
- NOTE: Ideas for add in vegetables are bean sprouts, snow peas, celery, bamboo shoots, etc. You could also add some scrambled egg or tofu. You can use whatever you happen to have in your refrigerator or kitchen. This is a fun meal to make when you need to use up some items in your fridge.
Try my recipes for other Asian style dishes:
The Best Oriental Ramen Noodle Salad
Mandarin Chow Mein
This Mandarin chow mein is full of stir fried pork or chicken, vegetables, and noodles with a delicious sauce. It is easy to make, ready in less than 20 minutes, and a dish that you can feel good about eating.
Equipment
- 1 Wok or large frying pan
Ingredients
- 2 3 oz packages ramen noodles (with or without seasoning) You can use or discard the flavor package according to your taste. You can substitute other kinds of noodles like yakisoba, chow mein or spaghetti noodles. I used some knife cut style noodles I found at Trader Joes that were packaged like ramen noodles.
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 lb. lean boneless pork or chicken You can also use your favorite protein such as chicken, shrimp, tofu, etc. To make this chow mein vegetarian increase the amount of vegetables and leave out the meat.
- 3 cups cabbage or bok choy, thinly sliced (or combination of both)
- 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 8 oz can water chestnuts, drained
- sesame seeds to sprinkle on top, optional
Instructions
- Cook your noodles per package directions, drain and set aside. Cook noodles only to al dente so they aren't mushy.
- Make the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
- Cut up your meat and vegetables.
- Spray wok or large skillet with nonstick spray. Add pork or chicken to the wok and stir fry on medium high heat about 2 minutes or until the meat is white and just starting to brown.
- Add the vegetables to the wok and stir-fry until they are crisp tender.
- Add cooked noodles and the sauce. Heat thoroughly and stir everything to mix and to coat with the sauce.
- Serve immediately. May sprinkle a few sesame seeds over the top before serving if desired.
- NOTE: Ideas for add in vegetables are bean sprouts, snow peas, celery, bamboo shoots, etc. You could also add some scrambled egg or tofu. You can use whatever you happen to have in your refrigerator or kitchen. This is a fun meal to make when you need to use up some items in your fridge.