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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers/Sides

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

    Published: Nov 5, 2023 by christieathome

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein. Delicious chow mein noodles pan fried with onions, bean sprouts, soy sauce and sesame oil. A simple side dish ready in 15 minutes in one pan with minimal ingredients!

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein
    Jump to:
    • What are Cantonese fried noodles
    • Ingredients 
    • How to Make Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles
    • Storage & Reheating
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other recipes you may like!
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    What are Cantonese fried noodles

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein features thin egg noodles pan fried with bean sprouts, onions and simply seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. These Cantonese style pan fried noodles are very a popular Chinese side dish. You'll often see them served at Chinese restaurants, takeaway or for dim sum.

    I absolutely love this noodle dish because it's super easy and quick to make in one pan! The dish only uses a handful of ingredients making it very simple. Anyone can make this! I love enjoying it as a side dish to my favourite proteins with steamed greens.

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

    Ingredients 

    Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements. 

    Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.  

    • Chow mein noodles: these are typically made of egg, wheat flour and water.
    • Bean sprouts: or sub with soy bean sprouts
    • Green onion
    • Yellow onion
    • Regular soy sauce: or sub with a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice
    • Dark soy sauce
    • Sesame oil
    • Neutral oil
    • Sesame seeds
    ingredients

    How to Make Cantonese Pan Fried Noodles

    Slice Onions

    Slice your green and yellow onion into thin pieces as specified above.

    Steam Chow Mein Noodles

    In a large wok or steamer, fill it with enough water. Place a wired rack into the steamer and your plate of chow mein noodles on top of the wired rack. Cover and steam the noodles over high heat for 5 minutes. If you don't own a steamer, you can also blanch the noodles for 20 seconds in hot boiling water and strain.

    steam the noodles

    Remove the wired rack and clean out the wok of it’s liquids. Set it over medium high heat. Wait for it to smoke. (If you’re using a non-stick pan, set the pan over medium heat and skip any smoking parts).

    Cook Onions

    Add oil and allow it smoke. Add yellow onions and cook until translucent. Lower heat to medium. Add green onions and give it a mix for 5 seconds.

    cook onions

    Toss Noodles with Seasoning

    Add steamed noodles, regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.

    add noodles and sauce

    Add Bean Sprouts

    Toss in bean sprouts until well combined with noodles.

    add bean sprouts

    Garnish

    Sprinkle sesame seeds over top. Serve & enjoy!

    garnish

    Storage & Reheating

    This dish will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave for 2-3 minutes or reheat on the stovetop in a pan on medium heat until hot.

    Expert Tips

    • Steam or blanch the noodles, do not boil. Boiling can cause soggy noodles.
    • Thinly slice onions and green onions. This allows the aromatics to incorporate into the noodles more easily.
    • Wash the bean sprouts well. A few washes will help remove any odor. Make sure you use fresh bean sprouts. If you use bean sprouts that are older, it emits a funky smell

    FAQ

    What kind of noodles should I use?

    Cantonese steamed chow mein noodles or thin egg noodles that are meant for frying. You may also substitute with thicker lo mein noodles.

    What are Cantonese noodles made of?

    Wheat flour, egg and water.

    Can I substitute the soy sauce with a gluten free version?

    Coconut aminos or tamari sauce are great substitutes. However, please add these seasonings to taste.

    Can I use soybean sprouts?

    Yes, soybean sprouts will work. However, they have a large bean attached to the sprout which offers a slight soy-like sauce.

    Other recipes you may like!

    • Crispy Chow Mein Noodles
    • Chicken Shrimp Chow Mein
    • Chicken Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein
    • Chinese Lo Mein
    • Cantonese Vegetable Chow Mein
    • Tofu Vegetable Chow Mein

    📖 Recipe

    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

    15-min. Easy Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein

    christieathome
    Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein. Chow mein noodles pan fried with onions, bean sprouts, soy sauce and sesame oil. Ready in 15 minutes with minimal ingredients!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories per serving 487 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 lb Chow Mein Noodles
    • 2 cup mung bean sprouts washed and strained thoroughly
    • 1 medium size yellow onion sliced thinly
    • 3 green onion sliced into 1-inch-long pieces
    • 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil
    • 2 teaspoon sesame seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Slice your green and yellow onion into thin pieces as specified above.
    • In a large wok or steamer, fill it with enough water. Place a wired rack into the steamer and your plate of chow mein noodles on top of the wired rack. Cover and steam the noodles over high heat for 5 minutes.
    • Remove the wired rack and clean out the wok of it’s liquids. Set it over medium high heat. Wait for it to smoke. (If you’re using a non-stick pan, set the pan over medium heat and skip any smoking parts).
    • Add oil and allow it smoke. Add yellow onions and cook until translucent. Lower heat to medium.
    • Add green onions and give it a mix for 5 seconds.
    • Add steamed noodles, regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.
    • Toss in bean sprouts until well combined with noodles.
    • Sprinkle sesame seeds over top. Serve & enjoy!
    Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    Wok
    Non-stick wok
    Measuring Set
    Cutting Board
    Small wire rack
    Santoku Knife

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Nutrition
    Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1675mg | Potassium: 182mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 101IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 5mg

    More Appetizers/Sides

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      Butternut Squash Fritters
    • Korean Cucumber Salad
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Caleb - Never Ending Journeys

      August 03, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Chow Mein is one of my favorite meals, but I've never tried it with Soy Sauce. Thanks so much for this great idea!

      Reply
    2. Michelle

      August 03, 2021 at 10:09 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious, such a classic Chinese dish!

      Reply
    3. Tasia ~ two sugar bugs

      August 08, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      5 stars
      The noodles look perfectly sauced!

      Reply
    4. Rosemary

      August 21, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      this soy sauce chow mein is EXACTLY what I have been craving!! I just bought light & dark soy sauce, so this is what I'm making this weekend!

      Reply
    5. Audrey

      November 22, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      I am new to cooking Chinese food. What noodles do I purchase for this recipe? Are these chow mein noodles the dry, crisp ones?

      Reply
      • christieathome

        November 23, 2021 at 11:08 am

        You are looking for "Steamed Chow Mein Noodles" on the package. These noodles are made of egg, flour and water. When deep fried in oil they do become the dry crispy ones.

        Reply
    6. Kayla

      December 16, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      I cannot find steamed chow mein noodles anywhere just regular egg noodles and stir fry noodles. Any suggestions?

      Reply
      • christieathome

        December 20, 2021 at 1:56 pm

        I would suggest using the stir fry noodles in your case.

        Reply
    7. Rachel W

      April 29, 2022 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      The best!!!! I tried making this for the family last night - I only adjusted recipe by adding in shredded green cabbage to the mix! Was exactly like the dish at my favorite restaurant from when I was younger!!! SO GOOD! Great recipe! Thank you 🙂

      Reply
      • christieathome

        April 29, 2022 at 12:27 pm

        Thank you for making my recipe Rachel! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and great idea to add some shredded cabbage 🙂 Have a lovely day!

        Reply
    8. Bethy

      September 23, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      I was able to get the fresh noodles at the local asian market. This dish turned out fab! Served alongside a broccolini with oyster sauce. Bomb.

      Reply
      • christieathome

        September 26, 2022 at 12:55 pm

        So happy to hear you enjoyed my recipe Bethy! Thanks for making it and have a lovely day!

        Reply
    9. Martha

      September 25, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Is there a good way to make this dish gluten free? Is there a noodle substitute that you can think of that would work well?

      Reply
      • christieathome

        September 26, 2022 at 12:53 pm

        I would suggest replacing the both dark and regular soy sauce with gluten free tamari sauce or coconut aminos. As for the noodles, any chewy thick or thin gluten free noodles should work. You can try rice noodles but they may be a bit sticky since the sauce is on the lighter side so feel free to add more sauce as needed for taste.

        Reply

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    Christie

    Christie is an Asian Recipe Blogger with an expertise on Asian recipes! She makes Asian cooking approachable and less intimidating. Her quick and easy recipes have been featured on Buzz Feed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn and more. With a following of over 900K+, her recipes are made repeatedly by her loyal readers.

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