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!
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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.
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
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.
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.
Toss Noodles with Seasoning
Add steamed noodles, regular soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame oil. Mix well.
Add Bean Sprouts
Toss in bean sprouts until well combined with noodles.
Garnish
Sprinkle sesame seeds over top. Serve & enjoy!
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
15-min. Easy Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein
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!
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Caleb - Never Ending Journeys
Chow Mein is one of my favorite meals, but I've never tried it with Soy Sauce. Thanks so much for this great idea!
Michelle
Looks delicious, such a classic Chinese dish!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
The noodles look perfectly sauced!
Rosemary
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!
Audrey
I am new to cooking Chinese food. What noodles do I purchase for this recipe? Are these chow mein noodles the dry, crisp ones?
christieathome
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.
Kayla
I cannot find steamed chow mein noodles anywhere just regular egg noodles and stir fry noodles. Any suggestions?
christieathome
I would suggest using the stir fry noodles in your case.
Rachel W
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 🙂
christieathome
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!
Bethy
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.
christieathome
So happy to hear you enjoyed my recipe Bethy! Thanks for making it and have a lovely day!
Martha
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?
christieathome
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.