Hey there! I’m a huge fan of Chinese cuisine, and today I’m gonna break down everything you need to know about shrimp lo mein – one of the most popular takeout dishes that never fails to satisfy those noodle cravings.
What Exactly is Shrimp Lo Mein?
Shrimp lo mein is basically a delicious stir-fried noodle dish where bouncy egg noodles meet plump shrimp and crispy veggies, all coated in a savory-sweet sauce The name “lo mein” actually means “tossed noodles” in Chinese – pretty straightforward, right?
The Essential Ingredients
The Star Players
- The Noodles
- Fresh or dried lo mein egg noodles (you can use spaghetti in a pinch)
- Should be thick, yellow, and have that signature bouncy texture
- Pro tip: Don’t rinse after cooking – the starch helps the sauce stick better!
- The Shrimp
- Raw, peeled, and deveined
- Medium-sized works best
- Can use frozen (just thaw first!)
- The Sauce (This is where the magic happens!)
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Hoisin sauce
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar (optional)
The Supporting Cast (Vegetables)
Most shrimp lo mein includes:
- Cabbage or coleslaw mix
- Carrots (julienned)
- Onions
- Celery
- Bean sprouts
- Bell peppers
- Green onions
The Aromatics
- Minced garlic
- Fresh ginger
- Sometimes a splash of Shaoxing wine
How’s It Different from Chow Mein?
I get this question a lot! Here’s the deal
| Lo Mein | Chow Mein |
|---|---|
| Soft, boiled noodles | Crispy, fried noodles |
| Thicker sauce | Lighter sauce |
| Tossed together | Stir-fried separately |
Making It At Home (Yes, You Can!)
Quick Recipe Breakdown:
- Prep the Sauce:
- Mix your soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, and a bit of brown sugar
- Add a splash of sesame oil for that authentic touch
- Cook the Noodles:
- Follow package instructions
- Don’t overcook – they’ll continue cooking in the wok
- DON’T rinse! (I know I said this before, but it’s important!)
- Cook the Shrimp:
- Season with salt and pepper
- Cook just until pink
- Remove and set aside (we’ll add ’em back later)
- The Veggie Party:
- Stir-fry your veggies in order of cooking time
- Keep ’em crispy – nobody likes mushy vegetables!
- The Grand Finale:
- Toss everything together in a hot wok
- Add sauce
- Give it a good stir until everything’s coated and hot
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Cut all veggies roughly the same size for even cooking
- Use day-old refrigerated noodles if possible – they hold up better
- Don’t overcrowd your wok – work in batches if needed
- Got leftover lo mein? It’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the shrimp (they get rubbery – nobody wants that!)
- Using too much sauce (it should coat, not drown)
- Skipping the sesame oil (it’s that secret something-something)
- Cooking everything at once (patience is key!)
Customize It!
Feel free to:
- Add more veggies
- Make it spicier with chili oil
- Switch up the protein (chicken, beef, or tofu work great)
- Go heavy on the garlic (I won’t judge!)
Wrapping It Up
There ya have it – everything you need to know about what goes into a proper shrimp lo mein! Whether you’re ordering takeout or trying your hand at making it at home now you know exactly what should be in that delicious tangle of noodles.
Remember, the best lo mein is the one you enjoy eating. Don’t be afraid to adjust the ingredients to your taste. And if your first attempt isn’t restaurant-perfect, keep trying! Mine sure wasn’t, but practice makes perfect.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this writing about lo mein has made me hungry. Time to fire up the wok!
Got questions about shrimp lo mein? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help!
The key to making the best tasting shrimp lo mein
The oil is key because it carries the fragrance of the aromatics. It also helps the sauce to coat all the ingredients. Chinese restaurants use a generous amount of oil to cook this dish to make it tasty, and you should too.
Marinating the shrimp not only makes it more flavorful, but the cornstarch also prevents the shrimp from overcooking and helps it remain juicy.
How to cook shrimp lo mein
Cooking shrimp lo mein is super easy and fast once you have all the ingredients ready.
First, pan sear the shrimp until just cooked through and transfer them to a plate. It’s crucial to take out the shrimp so they don’t overcook and will remain juicy.
Cook the aromatics to infuse the oil.
Stir fry the vegetables until crispy. It’s important not to cook the vegetables until tender now, because they will continue to cook once you add the sauce.
Then add the noodles and the sauce, and toss them well.
Finally, add back the cooked shrimp, bean sprouts and green onion green part and give it a final toss.
Now you’ll have a pan of restaurant-style lo mein that not only tastes great, but is also loaded with shrimp and vegetables.
This Quick & Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Will Blow Your Mind | Dinner in Under 30 Minutes
FAQ
What’s in shrimp lo mein?
- 4 ounces egg noodles dry uncooked, or ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded, or 8 ounces fresh egg noodles.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.
- 8 ounces medium shrimp peeled and deveined, tails removed.
- 4 cups coleslaw mix or finely sliced cabbage.
- ½ red bell pepper sliced.
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger.
Is shrimp lo mein healthier than shrimp fried rice?
Shrimp lo mein can be healthier than shrimp fried rice because the rice is fried in oil while the noodles are boiled in water. The same size portion of lo mein to fried rice will usually find a lower calorie count in the lo mein dish.
What is typically in lo mein?
In Cantonese cuisine, lo mein (撈麵) typically consists of boiled wheat noodles that are tossed in a sauce, such as oyster sauce, or are served with a sauce alongside. It may be accompanied by items such as wontons, char siu, or beef brisket.
What is the difference between shrimp lo mein and shrimp chow mein?
Chow mein noodles are soaked in hot water to soften them up before stir-frying. The process of stir-frying fully cooks the noodles along with the remaining ingredients. In contrast, lo mein noodles are completely cooked before getting mixed in with the meat, vegetables and sauce.
What is Shrimp lo mein?
Shrimp Lo Mein features juicy shrimp, slurp-worthy noodles, and crunchy vegetables all coated in a flavorful lo mein sauce. If you love Chicken Lo Mein or Asian Recipes, like Chow Mei Fun, you’re going to love this easy Shrimp Lo Mein recipe. What is the difference between Chow Mein and lo mein? The difference Lo Mein vs. Chow Mein is the noodles.
What to eat if you eat Shrimp lo mein?
Shrimp lo mein is a popular Chinese stir-fry. It’s a mix of egg noodles, plump shrimp, and crisp veggies tossed in a flavorful sauce. The sauce has brown sugar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It creates a thick, sweet-savory coating. Common vegetables include carrots, snow peas, peppers, and cabbage. Feel free to throw in other veggies if you like.
How to make Shrimp lo mein in 30 minutes?
This easy 6-step recipe makes delicious shrimp lo mein in under 30 minutes. Here’s how: 1. Cook the noodles. Boil the lo mein noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 2. Make the sauce. Whisk the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin, oil, sugar, ginger, cornstarch, and pepper. 3. Sauté the shrimp.
Is Shrimp lo mein good for takeout?
Shrimp lo mein is one of the quickest cooking options making it perfect for homemade takeout. The vegetables vary in lo mein dishes but typical choices include, carrots, green onions, cabbage, peppers and snow peas. They’re tossed with noodles in a rich saucy mixture which brings much of the flavor to the dish.
Can you use fresh noodles for Shrimp lo mein?
Lo mein noodles: You can use dry or fresh noodles for this shrimp lo mein recipe. Boil the noodles according to the package directions before adding them to the stir-fry. Vegetables: Use a bag of vegetable slaw with sliced cabbage and matchstick carrots to cut down on prep time.
What can I put in a lo mein sauce?
Lo Mein Sauce: Soy sauce, hoisin, brown sugar, and sesame oil are mixed with water to create this sweet & savory sauce! Optional toppers: Try chopped peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, chopped basil or cilantro, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes! Don’t forget sambal or sriracha for a spicy kick! If you can cook noodles, you can make shrimp lo mein!