Hey foodies! I’ve been experimenting with Asian cuisine lately, and I gotta tell you – shrimp chow mein has become my absolute favorite! As someone who loves quick and tasty meals, I’m excited to share everything I know about this amazing dish.
The Basics: What Makes Shrimp Chow Mein Special?
Shrimp chow mein is basically a heavenly combo of stir-fried noodles, juicy shrimp, and crispy veggies all tossed in a savory sauce. The name “chow mein” actually means “fried noodles” in Cantonese – pretty straightforward, right?
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into making this delicious dish
The Stars of the Show
- Noodles: Usually egg noodles – either thin and crispy or thick and soft
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen, just make sure they’re not overcooked!
- Veggies: Typically includes:
- Cabbage (napa or green)
- Celery
- Carrots
- Onions
- Bean sprouts
- Bell peppers
- Snow peas
The Awesome Sauce
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Optional: Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
How It’s Different from Lo Mein
People often mix these up, so here’s the deal:
- Chow mein: Noodles are pan-fried till they’re a bit crispy
- Lo mein: Noodles are just boiled and tossed with ingredients – no crispy texture here!
Making Perfect Shrimp Chow Mein at Home
Y’all, it’s easier than you think! Here’s my foolproof method:
- Cook those noodles till they’re just right (al dente)
- Stir-fry aromatics (garlic, ginger, green onions)
- Toss in your veggies
- Cook shrimp till they’re pink (2-3 mins per side – don’t overcook!)
- Mix everything together with the sauce
- BOOM! Dinner’s ready!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- For perfect shrimp: Don’t cook them too long! Nobody likes rubber shrimp
- Avoid soggy noodles:
- Don’t overcrowd your pan
- Keep the heat high
- Use cornstarch to thicken sauce
Make It Your Own!
Wanna switch things up? Try these variations:
- Make it vegetarian: Swap shrimp for tofu or more veggies
- Spice it up: Add some chili garlic sauce
- Go gluten-free: Use rice noodles and tamari instead of regular soy sauce
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- It’s super quick (ready in about 20 mins!)
- Everything cooks in one pot (less dishes = happy cook)
- Totally customizable with your fave veggies
- Great for leftovers (though it might get a bit soggy)
Perfect Pairings
When I’m serving this for a crowd, I love pairing it with:
- Spring rolls
- Egg rolls
- Wonton soup
- Hot and sour soup
- Steamed rice (if you’re extra hungry!)
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? No problemo! Here’s what I do:
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge
- Add a splash of water when reheating
- Best eaten within 2-3 days
Bottom Line
Shrimp chow mein is seriously one of the most satisfying dishes you can make at home. It’s got everything – protein, veggies, noodles, and amazing flavor! Plus, it’s way better (and cheaper!) than takeout.
What noodles should I use for chow mein?
- You can use any egg or wheat noodles that are good for stir-fries. This includes chow mein noodles, yakisoba, or pancit, which can usually be found at any Asian grocery store. Usually the back of the package will tell you how best to prep and use the noodles.
- If you go for chow mein noodles, you might find that there are both thin and thicker types. If available, go for ones that are a little thicker (at least the size of cooked spaghetti). These have a bit more bite and texture and will hold up better with the other ingredients in the dish.
- If you can’t find fresh refrigerated noodles, you can look for dried egg noodles. They’ll just take a few more minutes to prep before stir-frying.
Shrimp Chow Mein | Flavorful And Easy Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
FAQ
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 in shrimp chow mein?
Shrimp chow mein typically includes egg noodles, shrimp, and various vegetables like onions, celery, and cabbage, all stir-fried together with a savory sauce. The sauce usually contains soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sometimes sesame oil, along with other seasonings like sugar or honey.
What is the difference between shrimp chow mein and shrimp chop suey?
With chow mein, you cook noodles and add them to your wok of other ingredients, cooking everything together in one pan. However, with a chop suey recipe, you will cook the noodles or rice and other ingredients separately before combining them in a bowl, serving up the noodles or rice with the sauce served over the top.
What the heck is chow mein?
In American Chinese cuisine, it is a stir-fried dish consisting of noodles, meat (chicken being most common but pork, beef, shrimp or tofu sometimes being substituted), onions and celery. It is often served as a specific dish at westernized Chinese restaurants. Vegetarian or vegan chow mein is also common.