15-min. Easy Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

Name: 15-min. Easy Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 16 oz chow mein noodles (fresh kind); 2 cups mung bean sprouts (or soy bean sprouts, rinsed & strained); 1 small onion (thinly sliced); 5 green onions (chopped into 1” long pieces); 4 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any neutral oil); 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce); 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (or regular soy sauce); 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or vegetarian stir-fry sauce); 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoon water (cold); 2 teaspoon white granulated sugar (or cane sugar); 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder

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Chewy chow mein noodles pan-fried with scallions, onions, and bean sprouts in a light savory sauce. This easy Cantonese soy sauce chow mein recipe uses simple ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes! A family-friendly, budget-friendly side that's better than takeout and perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients & Substitutes
Variation
Expert Tips
Instructions
Storage & Reheating
Pairing Suggestions
FAQ
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📖 Recipe

Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein (or 'Cantonese pan-fried noodles') is a popular noodle side dish served at Chinese restaurants for dim sum.

It features chewy thin egg noodles pan fried with bean sprouts, scallions, and onions in a light savory sauce.

These soy sauce noodles are from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, and beloved by locals for its taste and simplicity.

This chow mein dish is also drier compared to others, as the noodles are lightly coated in sauce to prevent sogginess.

I also love making these noodles in advance for meal prep to pair with other dishes.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Please scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Fresh Chow Mein Noodles (or 'Pre-Steamed Cantonese Style Noodles'): These are pre-cooked thin egg-flour noodles available at an Asian market in the cold section. Or use yaki soba noodles and prepare according to package directions.
Mung Bean Sprouts: Or use soybean sprouts.
Green Onions
Onions
Neutral Oil: Use a neutral oil like avocado, sunflower, grapeseed, peanut, vegetable, or canola oil. Avoid olive oil or any low smoke point oil.

Noodle Sauce

Regular Soy Sauce: Or use low-sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce.
Dark Soy Sauce: Or use dark mushroom soy sauce, or add more regular soy sauce to taste at the end of the cooking.
Oyster Sauce: Or use vegetarian stir-fry sauce.
Sesame Oil
White Granulated Sugar: Or use cane sugar.
Cold Water: Or use low-sodium chicken stock.
Chicken Bouillon Powder (aka Chicken Stock Powder)

Note: Asian ingredients are typically available at most Asian grocery stores, or check online.

Variation

Gluten-free version: Replace the chow mein noodles with cooked gluten-free spaghetti and both soy sauces with tamari sauce, coconut aminos, or gluten-free soy sauce. Use gluten-free oyster sauce and gluten-free chicken bouillon powder.

Expert Tips

Rinse bean sprouts with cold water to remove natural odors and strain well.
Thinly slice scallions and onions to incorporate easily with noodles.
Don't skimp on the oil or the noodles will tasty dry.
Don't over-blanch the noodles or they will taste soggy.
Strain the noodles in a colander, shaking out excess water.
Toss the noodles with two spatulas by lifting from the bottom to prevent them from breaking.
Don't overcook the noodles and remove from heat once incorporated.

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Cantonese soy sauce chow mein:

Combine the sauce ingredients as listed.

Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the noodle sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.

Blanch noodles in hot boiling water just until loose and strain well.

Prepare the noodles: Blanch noodles in boiling hot water until loosened, about 20 seconds. Strain and shake out any excess water.

Heat oil in a large pan on medium-heat and sauté onions until translucent.

Sauté onions: Heat 2 tablespoon (30 ml) of vegetable oil in a large pan on medium heat. Sauté onions until softened, about 1 minute.

Add noodles with remaining vegetable oil and toss together.

Mix in noodles: Add noodles and remaining vegetable oil and toss together.

Pour noodle sauce and toss until noodles are evenly coated.

Mix in sauce: Pour noodle sauce over the noodles and toss until noodles are evenly coated with the help of tongs or two spatulas.

Toss in green onions and bean sprouts until incorporated.

Mix in remaining ingredients: Add green onions and bean sprouts and toss until incorporated. Remove from heat and enjoy!

Storage & Reheating

Cantonese soy sauce chow mein can last up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge once cooled. To enjoy, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Cantonese soy sauce chow mein can be frozen for up to 2-3 months when divided and stored in freezer-safe bags once cooled. To enjoy, defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Pairing Suggestions

Cantonese soy sauce noodles pair well with:

Dim sum
Starters: Egg rolls, Crab rangoon, Egg drop soup, or Hot and sour soup.
Rice Dishes: White rice, brown rice, or fried rice.
Vegetable Dishes: Chinese Garlic Gok Choy, Spicy Garlic Bok Choy, Chinese Garlic Yu Choy, Chinese Garlic Gai Lan, Garlic Green Beans or Stir-fried Snow Pea Leaves.
Protein Dishes: Szechuan Chicken, Beef Onion Stir-Fry, Beef Vegetable Stir-Fry, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Egg Foo Young, Soy Garlic Tofu, and more!

FAQ

Can I make this in advance?

Cantonese soy sauce chow mein can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To enjoy, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Can I add protein or vegetables to these noodles?

Feel free to add cooked chicken, pork, beef, extra-firm tofu, eggs, or shrimp to this dish. Vegetables like carrots, cabbage, celery, bok choy, yu choy sum, baby gai-lan, snap or snow peas can also be added after cooking the onions.

Are chow mein noodles gluten-free?

Chow mein noodles are not gluten-free as they contain wheat flour, which contains gluten.

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