Get my Cookbooks! Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein
This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe tastes just like the restaurant! These delicious noodles are read in just 20 minutes and taste great with chicken, shrimp, or steak!
Be sure to pair this with some Chicken Fried Rice and Crab Rangoon!
Panda Express Chow Mein
I have dozens of copycat recipes at this point, and I think this chow mein recipe wins the award for the quickest one of them all.
It’s hard to believe that this recipe takes less than 30 minutes! Does it really get any better than that?!
I love all of the things that you can add to this recipe too. There are endless vegetable options as well as meat for added protein.
Types of Chow Mein Noodles
- Panda express uses Stir Fried Wheat Noodles similar to these.
- I used these Chow Mein noodles for this recipe. You can find them in your local grocery store where they have a dedicated section for Asian ingredients.
- You could also regular spaghetti noodles for this recipe, just adjust the cooking times for the noodles accordingly.
What You Can Add
- Seared chicken, shrimp, or steak
- Carrots, water chestnuts, green onions, bok choy, snap peas
- Chow Mein noodles, sesame seeds, roughly chopped peanuts
Chow Mein vs. Lo Mein
“Mein” is simply a Chinese word for noodles. The major difference is simply how the noodles are cooked and what they are served with.
Lo Mein: Typically made with fresh egg noodles that are boiled for 2-3 minutes. They soak up sauce better than Chow Mein does and it’s not usually accompanied by add-on’s such as vegetables or meat.
Chow Mein: Made with fresh or dry egg noodles and boiled for 5-6 minutes and served with stir-fried vegetables and/or meat.
That’s the gist of it, but this source can tell you more!
Try These Next!
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- Crab Rangoon
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- Chicken Fried Rice
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- Chow Mein
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- General Tso’s Chicken
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- Sweet Cream Cheese Wontons
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- Chinese Chicken Fingers
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Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein
Ingredients
- 6 oz. dry Chow Mein stir fry noodles
Vegetables
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded
- 2 Tablespoons peanut oil, can sub canola
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon oyster sauce*, See Notes
- 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Boil the Chow Mein noodles in a large pot for about 3 minutes. Drain, then rinse with cold water and drain again. Set aside.
- In a large pot on medium heat, combine the onions, celery, cabbage, and peanut oil and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients and add to the vegetables. Stir in the Chow Mein noodles, and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
An optional ingredient you forgot is snow peas, I had them and added a generous handful
Yes, snow peas are a great addition, thanks Lois! Thanks for the great review!
best chow mein has bean sprouts (not noodles), your favorite veggies & strips of pork or your favorite meat .. served over crispy Chinese noodles …just my favorite .. love bean sprouts & whatever extras .
I’ve made this recipe several times now using different variants of vegetables and noodles top ramen noodles actually work great if you’re on a budget thanks for the recipe
Hey David! That’s so great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing that, makes my day- you have no idea! -Stephanie
I made this tinight and finished it off with a drizzle of sesame oil, OMG. Beats P E by a mile. Thank you for sharing
I am SO happy to hear that Suz!! I loved and too and I loved reading your comment even more 🙂 Thank you!!