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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers/Sides

    Panda Express Chow Mein

    Last Modified: May 1, 2023 - Published by: christieathome

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Panda Express Chow Mein. Bouncy chow mein noodles stir fried in a savory simple sauce with crunchy cabbage, celery, onions. An easy recipe that serves as the perfect side dish.

    Panda Express Chow Mein

    Pair this tasty chow mein with some protein and your favorite stir-fried vegetables and you'll have a complete meal! This recipe is ready in 15 minutes!

    What is Panda Express Chow Mein?

    Panda Express is one of the most popular Chinese fast-food chains in the United States. This Chinese takeout restaurant serves Americanized Chinese food. Their dry chow mein noodles are one of their most iconic delicious noodles often a guilty pleasure for many! It's a lo mein stir fry with a savory sauce, cabbage, celery, and onions.

    Panda Express Chow Mein

    Easy Chow Mein Recipe

    An easy chow mein recipe that can be easily made in your own kitchen with simple ingredients at a fraction of the price. The main differences between my online recipe and the real thing is mine is made with less oil, it's tastier, and made with quality ingredients. Making this a perfect side to any tasty dinner. I share a list of main course(s) that you can serve these noodles with below.

    Panda Express Chow Mein

    Ingredients

    You'll need the below ingredients list for panda's chow mein. Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.

    Panda Express Chow Mein

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

    • Chow mein noodles: In Chinese cuisine, chow mein noodles are traditionally used for chow mein. Chow mien is made of wheat flour, water, and egg. You can find these noodles in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.

    Notes on Noodles:

    • Chow Mein Noodles are much tastier than the noodles used in panda express (which tend to be soggy lacking that bouncy texture). The trick is to cook chow mein noodles for 20-30 seconds in hot boiling water first and then strain immediately. These type of noodles cook relatively quickly. However, if you want to mimic the exact texture of the panda express noodles, you can over cook them for 60-90 seconds.
    • Or opt for fresh yakisoba noodles, frozen yaki soba noodles or any fresh noodles made of egg or are yellow in color.
    • Ramen noodles could also work but blanch these noodles just until loosened or they will become soggy. Make sure to rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.

    Stir Fry Components:

    • Celery: This vegetable gives this copycat panda express chow mein recipe that fresh taste that is iconic to these noodles.
    • Cabbage: A crunchy vegetable that will balance the texture of the bouncy tender noodles.
    • Onion: White or yellow onion will work.
    • Vegetable oil, or any neutral oil like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil. Panda express uses a lot of oil in their stir-fry noodles for that oily texture. We'll be using less but you can always add more if you prefer.

    Chow Mein Sauce:

    • Regular soy sauce: this is just your all-purpose soy sauce. It's different from dark soy sauce where it's not thick and not as dark and saltier. In addition, it's also saltier than low-sodium soy sauce.
    • Oyster sauce: a savory thick dark sauce that is made of oyster extract giving any dish a deep umami taste. It's not the same as hoisin sauce as hoisin is very sweet.
    • Sesame oil: a nutty finishing oil that offers a wonderful aroma to any Chinese dish.
    • Garlic: this aromatic helps to round out the flavors in our chow mein sauce.
    • Dark soy sauce: this helps to give the chow mein noodles some of that brown color
    • Chicken stock: make sure it's unsalted chicken stock. Feel free to substitute with beef stock or vegetable stock
    • Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch or tapioca starch. This helps thicken our sauce to make it stick to our noodles

    How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein

    In a small bowl, combine Chow Mein Sauce ingredients as listed above.

    In a large pot of boiling water, blanch chow mein noodles for 20-30 seconds until loosened.

    Strain immediately. If you're using other noodles, blanch just until loosened and no more.

    In a large wok on medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once oil is hot, add onions, cabbage and celery. Cook until softened, about 1 minute.

    Sweep veggies to the side. Add remaining oil into empty space. Then add noodles and sauce.

    Toss to mix until noodles have absorbed most of the sauce. Remove off heat and enjoy!

    Panda Express Chow Mein

    Storage

    Leftover chow mein will last 4 days stored in an airtight container. To reheat, reheat over medium heat in a non-stick pan or microwave for 2-3 minutes.

    FAQ

    Can I add any other vegetables or protein to this dish?

    Yes! Feel free to add the following suggested ingredients:

    • snow peas
    • bell pepper
    • sautéed chicken breast
    • bean sprouts
    • fresh ginger

    Where can I purchase chow mein noodles?

    Any Asian grocery store will sell them in their refrigerated section.

    What can I serve this dish with?

    This panda express chow mein copycat recipe can be served with any main dish below:

    • Orange Chicken,
    • General Tso Chicken
    • Lemon Chicken
    • Mongolian Chicken
    • Mongolian Beef
    • Kung Pao Chicken
    • Black Pepper Beef
    • Crab Rangoon
    • Mushroom Chicken
    • Black Pepper Chicken

    The above delicious recipes are also served at Panda Express and many other Chinese restaurants. They're also some of my most popular recipes on the blog!

    panda express chow mein

    Easy 15-min. Panda Express Chow Mein

    christieathome
    Easy Panda Express Chow Mein. Bouncy chow mein noodles stir fried in a savory simple sauce with crunchy cabbage, celery, onions. An easy recipe that serves as the perfect side dish. Ready in 15-minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4
    Calories per serving 478 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 454 grams chow mein noodles
    • 2 cups cabbage thinly sliced
    • 1 cup celery sliced on an angle
    • 1 small onion sliced
    • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil or any neutral oil

    Chow Mein Sauce:

    • 2 tablespoon regular soy sauce (all purpose kind)
    • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil toasted
    • ½ tablespoon dark soy sauce
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ¼ cup chicken stock unsalted (or sub with beef stock or vegetable stock)
    • ½ tablespoon cornstarch

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, combine Chow Mein Sauce ingredients as listed above. Set aside.
    • In a large pot of boiling water, blanch chow mein noodles for 30 seconds until loosened. Strain immediately. If you're using other noodles, blanch just until loosened and no more.
    • In a large wok on medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Once oil is hot, add onions, cabbage and celery. Cook until softened, about 1 minute.
    • Sweep veggies to the side. Add remaining vegetable oil into empty space.
    • Add noodles and Chow Mein Sauce. Toss everything together until mixed well and noodles have absorbed most of the sauce. Remove off heat. Serve and 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!
    Copyright PolicyChristie at Home owns all copyright to her blog content, photos and videos. Usage of any of these copyrighted materials on your website or social media channels is strictly prohibited. If you adapt my recipes, please provide a backlink to my website and re-write in your own words.

    Suggested Equipment & Products

    Non-stick wok
    Measuring Set
    Tongs
    Cutting Board
    Santoku Knife
    Steel Colander
    Nutrition
    Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.5mg | Sodium: 1632mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 149IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 4mg
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Chinese
    Keyword copycat panda express chow mein, panda express chow mein, panda express chow mein ingredients, panda express chow mein recipe

    More Appetizers/Sides

    • Kimchijeon (Kimchi Pancake)
    • Bang Bang Chicken
    • Egg Foo Young
    • Ramen Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ashley

      May 06, 2023 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      I work at Panda Express and thought this recipe was pretty good. Although when she says to boil the noodles it’s not longer chow mein it’s lo mein. Chow mein noodles are meant to be fired🙂 (at least that’s what that tell us at panda lol)

      Reply
      • christieathome

        May 09, 2023 at 6:14 pm

        Thanks for making my recipe, Ashley 🙂 Glad it's Panda Express approved!

        Reply

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    Christie

    Christie is an Asian Recipe Blogger sharing delicious recipes that you can make at home! Her goal is to make Asian cooking approachable and less intimidating. With a social media following of over 800k, she has been featured on Buzz Feed Tasty, Food52, The Kitchn and more! Christie's recipes have been made over and over again by her loyal readers.

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