Spicy Vegetable Lo Mein

Spicy Vegetable Lo Mein features thick egg noodles tossed in a spicy, savory sauce with onions, garlic, carrots, gai lan, and red bell pepper.

These Asian noodles are absolutely delicious and packed with umami flavor. Also, if you want add protein to this dish feel free to add chicken, pork, beef, eggs, shrimp or extra-firm tofu.

The key ingredient in making this lo mein spicy is chili garlic sauce (aka sambal oelek)! It's a red Indonesian sauce made of red chilis and garlic and sold at Asian grocery stores or online. You can also make it at home with my recipe here.

Unfortunately, you won't find this dish served at many Chinese restaurants but you will find the non-spicy version. I created this spicy lo mein because I love spicy food and noodles!

Ingredients & Substitutes

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.  

• Fresh or Pre-cooked Thick Yellow Egg Noodles: or substitute with Miki noodles or any thick wheat noodles like frozen or fresh udon. Avoid using thin egg noodles.
• Carrots: or substitute with celery.
• Red Bell Peppers: or substitute with yellow, orange or green bell peppers.
• Gai-Lan (aka Chinese Broccoli): the Asian market will sell this leafy green in the produce aisle. Or substitute with bok choy or yu choy sum.
• Garlic
• Onion: or substitute with shallot or green onions.
• Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point.
• Sesame seeds: for garnishing. If you're allergic, omit completely.

Noodle Sauce

• Oyster sauce: this is a thick brown sauce made of oysters that adds a lot of umami flavor. Or substitute with vegetarian stir-fry sauce.
• Dark soy sauce: this is thicker and darker than regular soy sauce. Or substitute with more regular soy sauce.
• Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce.
• Cornstarch: or substitute with potato starch
• Cold Water
• White Granulated Sugar: or substitute with cane sugar.
• Sesame Oil: If you're allergic, omit completely.
• Chilli Garlic Sauce (aka Sambal Oelek): a red chili garlic sauce used in South-East Asian cooking. Feel free to use homemade or store-bought.

Instructions

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make spicy vegetable lo mein:

1. In a large bowl, soak noodles in hot boiling water for 30 seconds just until loosened. Then strain immediately and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine noodle sauce ingredients and set aside.
3. Heat a large pan on medium heat. As it heats, add vegetable oil, minced garlic, and white onions. Allow this to fry until onions have softened and become translucent.
4. Add all the remaining vegetables and stir fry for 30 seconds.
5. Next add pre-cooked egg noodles and noodle sauce. Toss everything together. Remove off heat and garnish with sesame seeds.

Storage

• Leftovers will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat: microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot or reheat in a pan on medium heat.
• Freezer friendly? I don't recommend freezing spicy vegetable lo mein because the noodles and vegetables will change in texture.

Pairing Suggestions

Spicy vegetable lo mein serves well with:

• starters like egg rolls, crab rangoons, egg drop soup, hot and sour soup
• fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, or soup noodles 
• cooked vegetables like bok choy, spicy garlic bok choy, choy sum, gai lan, garlic green beans or stir fried snow pea leaves.
• protein dishes like Lemon Chicken, Cashew Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Bang Bang Shrimp, Gochujang Chicken, Soy Garlic Tofu, Chinese Braised Tofu and more!

FAQ

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• Easy Chicken Chow Mein
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• Cantonese Soy Sauce Chow Mein
• Cantonese Vegetable Chow Mein
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