As Wikipedia explains: "Chow mein (/ˈtʃaʊ ˈmeɪn/) are stir-fried noodles, the name being an English language corruption of the Taishanese chāu-mèing." Oh corruption, why do you taste so good? Delicious, delicious corruption, how you woo me with your noodley goodness.
Corruption smerruption, whatever this is, it is a damn fine dish, and I have no problem chowing down, 2 heaping bowls of this veggie packed noodle bliss. (See what I did there).
Did you know that cabbage is a super healthy food. Low in calories, high in vitamins C, and K, and receives 5 stars on both the weight loss and optimum health scales on Self Nutrition Data. Adding a monster amount of cabbage to this recipe is a sneaky deaky trick, because it's not only delicious, but it blends right into the noodles, meaning you are getting more nutritional bang for your noodle buck. Yes, bring on the veggies! This is one chow mein recipe that is good for you.
Are you drooling over your keyboard yet? If you like this recipe or any other recipes or posts on It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken, perhaps you could be my friend nominate me for the SAVEUR Blog Awards, and help me get all my hard work recognized. You can do so by clicking here. Thankyouthankyouthankyou! You're my favourite.
Back to noodles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the chow mein noodles according to the package directions.
When you are shopping for chow mein noodles make sure to get the egg-free kind. In my grocery store, both the egg containing chow mein noodles and the egg free kind are right beside each other in the Asian section of the grocery store.
Now mince your garlic and ginger and add it to a small bowl along with all the other chow mein sauce ingredients. Then set that bowl aside. I keep the favours fairly light here as I know not everyone is as obsessed with soy sauce and Sriracha as I am. The good news is you can always set your mouth into a salty fire by choice in your own bowl, while someone else can decide not to destroy their taste buds.
Chop up all your veggies.
Now get a pan nice a hot, and sauté the cabbage and onions in a bit of oil. Am I the only one who thinks that cooking cabbage and onions smells like cooking potato pancakes for no apparent reason? I am going to go ahead and say I am the only one. When it's all delicious, golden and wilted, dump the cabbage and onion mixture into a bowl and set aside.
Add the pan back to the heat, and sauté the mushrooms, carrots, and snow peas. Cook these guys for about 5 to 10 minutes until they are cooked through and the mushrooms release their awesome juiciness. Toss in the chow mein sauce and cook for just a minute more. Add in the cabbage and onion mixture, and the cooked noodles, and toss well to combine. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and feast your way to noodley paradise.
Veggie Chow Mein
My Notes:
Ingredients
- ¾ lb vegan chow mein noodles
For the sauce:
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sriracha
For the chow mein:
- 1 tablespoon light oil (such as canola or vegetable)
- 5 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 ½ cups snow peas
- ½ cup green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the chow mein noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add all of the sauce ingredients to a bowl and mix together.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the cabbage and onion. Stir frequently until the cabbage and onion have reduced in size and are nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the cabbage mixture from the pan and set aside.
- Return the pan to the heat. Add more oil if needed and then sauté the carrots, peas, and mushrooms for 5 to 10 minutes, until softened and cooked through.
- Add the chow mein sauce to the pan, and cook for about 1 minute longer. Now add back the cooked cabbage and the noodles to the pan. Toss everything to combine. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Feature Ingredient: Cabbage.
Bon Appetegan
Sam
Marianne says
First, I would like to say that I am a fan of your recipes! This one for me was too bland. I did have to sub coconut aminos for the soy sauce as I can’t have soy. So I realize that it would be less salty. But I think if I try it again, I might sauté the veggies in a little veggie broth as well as use vegetable broth instead of the water. And maybe add more siracha. It just needed more of something.
Kortneii says
Tastes just like takeout chowmein! Love the cabbage! Thkank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!!
Kortneii Mackenzie says
Another 5 star recipe! Tasty and simple as always. Thanks much!
Nancy says
I loved this recipe. I read some of the previous comments so I added a little more Ponzo sauce which is citrus based soya sauce and a quarter of a cup less of water. I also added a little more sesame oil as I went along. One thing I did do wrong was add a little bit too much sea salt here and there. Despite all that though this was a very delicious recipe and I would never call it bland in a minute. I bought your cookbook and so far everything I’ve cooked from it Was absolutely delicious. So much so two of my friends have now bought the cookbook.
Kelly says
I made a couple of adjustments to suit our tastebuds (a little less water, a little more sesame oil and Sriracha). This was a fantastic recipe-it’s a keeper for sure! Thank you!
Ann says
Hmmm, this was very bland for me and my family. 🙁
Mandy MacKenzie says
This is a great starting point for a chow mein dish! I will add garlic and more sriracha next time because I like mine a bit more "punchy" than this, but it was delicious!
Allie says
I used the veggies I had on hand but followed your sauce recipe pretty closely and the meal turned out great. I love how much less greasy this is than traditional takeout and my veggies turned out perfectly al dente. I'm saving this recipe to make for my boyfriend sometime!
Jo says
This turned out great, thank you! Baby corns are essential to chow mein for me so I added a can of those as well!
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome!
Angela says
Made this last night for dinner, it was really good. I’m not very good at making Asian food but this was a breeze, thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!! Thrilled it worked out fo you, Angela 🙂
Pam says
Can you share what brand of noodles you used or like to use?
Sam Turnbull says
I can't say I remember the brand I used but any rice or wheat noodle that is egg free would work 🙂
Tracey Barry says
This was amazing!! I decided to use rice instead of the noodles yet I found some crunchy Chow Mein noodles to put on top. I also added some water chestnuts. Super yummy! Your recipes are the best. I have your cookbook and every recipe is superb! Hope you will have another one in the future! Thank you for sharing all of these delicious recipes!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Sounds delish!! So thrilled you are enjoying so much of my recipes, Tracey!! 😀
Gail says
I didn’t find it to have much taste. What about sauting in a little sesame oil and not canola oil.
Sam Turnbull says
Go for it!
Mar says
Omg. This wasn’t just bad. It was disgusting. I tried it twice, thinking I must have done something wrong. Nope. The liquid with the cornflour solidified before the garlic or ginger cooked. Both times. Gross. I threw it out, both times after one bite.
Diane R says
Well, if the sauce thickened before the ginger and garlic cooked to your liking the first time, why didn't you keep them out of the sauce and cook them along with the veg the second time? Don't blame the author if you can't adapt.
Jenn says
Mmmmm. So good! Asian food is hard for me to make good but this is delicious. In eating my second serving as I write this. Should have stopped after 1 serving but couldnt resist! Ive made I think 4 of your recipes so far and shared your site with my sister in law and she made 3 recipes and verything weve made has been amazing!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh that's so awesome! Thank you for sharing and loving my recipes, Jenn 🙂
Abi says
Hi! Looks yum! Sadly I can’t find vegan chow mein noodles...but I do have some organic soba noodles on hand! Could I use those instead? Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely. Enjoy!
Jan says
So good. I had Chinese cabbage so that's what I used. Love chow mein noodles so I'll be coming back to this again and again. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Jan, so happy you enjoyed 🙂
Lana says
OMG just made this and it's amazing! I opted for no mushrooms because I don't like them and it was still so good! Thank you so much for the recipe! Next, I'm going to make the fried rice from your book.
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome!! So happy you loved it so much, Lana. I hope you love the fried rice too 🙂
Lyndie says
Hi Sam. My daughter is vegan, and I’m always in search of a good recipe. We tried this one last night for dinner and so so good. I made extra so we’d have leftovers, but we opted for seconds instead. LOL We tried the nacho cheese last night too. Wow!! My daughter is so excited that I found you. I’ve ordered your book and have a list of recipes lined up and can’t wait to try them.
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful! So happy to hear that, Lyndie! Thrilled you and your daughter are enjoying my recipes so much 🙂
Sofia says
This receipe is amazing, the sauce is spectacular!!! I really enjoyed lunch today, thank you very much! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Woohoo!! So happy it was a hit and well enjoyed, Sofia 🙂
Mickey says
phenomenal recipe. Fairly new to veganism, went overnight kinda like you actually lol. watched earthlings. been using your site as my cookbook for awhile now actually. this is my favorite dish so far 🙂 keep it up.
Sam Turnbull says
Woot woot! Congrats on the veganism, and so happy you are digging my recipes, especially this one. 🙂
Karla says
Hi! I would love to cook this for my family but my daughter is allergic to milk and I haven't find chow mein noodles that don't have milk or traces of it. Do you know any brand that's milk-free?
Cathy says
You could try googling "vegan grocer" in your area to see if they stock vegan chow mien noodles. Any vegan store would have some kind of thin vegan noodle you could use. In the supermarket I found Chang's long life 98% fat free noodles to be egg and milk free. I sometimes use angel hair pasta as a thin noodle substitute, obviously it has to be boiled first. The only ingredient in angel hair pasta is wheat.
Sam Turnbull says
The noodles I'm able to get at my grocery store don't contain milk, but if you can't find any in your store, you can replace with any rice noodle and it will still be delicious 🙂
puck says
tried this a few months ago, forgot to comment though. it was amazing, i haven't made chow mein as delicious as this before!
Sam says
Aww well thanks for coming back and leaving your comment Puck! So happy you loved the recipe so very much 🙂
Arlene says
Looks and sounds so delicious I will be making this and your veggie fried rice very soon. I just have to add coconut milk now to my ever growing pantry list. We found the silken extra firm tofu right where you said it would be and black salt from BJ's is ready to go for our weekend breakfast of vegan champions! Rah, Rah! BTW, I had the Singapore noodles at Kings Café and just assumed it was eggless. No?
Sam says
Haha yeah coconut milk is a great vegan pantry staple! It would have been eggless, yes, Kings Cafe is a vegan restaurant. 🙂
emily m says
Hey Sam! have you ever made singapore like noodles? I have been trying to recreate them veganly and can't
Sam says
Hmmm.... that's a good one! I love Singapore Noodles! Ok I have added them to my to do list 😉
Linda @ Veganosity says
Hi Sam! I never liked chow mein in restaurants because it was always so greasy. Your version looks so fresh and healthy. I can't wait to try it. 🙂
Sam says
Hi Linda, I recognize you from Food Blogger Pro! I hate greasy noodles, their the worst. I hope you enjoy the recipe. Bon Appetegan!
pragati says
I'll take noodles in any form...especially loaded with veggies so i can eat more 🙂 Awesome photos..have loved these on Pinterest! After coming to your blog, I actually remember it from the photos...isn't that something? Shows how memorable they are!
Sam says
Same for me pragati! I can never eat too many noodles. Thank you so very much for huge compliment on my photos! Taking better photos is something I have really been focusing on. I had no idea my photos were so memorable, but that's amazing!! 🙂
Kathy Sturr says
Yum! I definitely will be "chowing" on this dish! (Love cabbage and so good for me/you!)
Sam says
Cabbage is one of those veggies I almost never thing of to use, but it so yummy! I even love gnawing on it raw.
Anillehs says
Yummy
Anillehs says
Yummy!
Sam says
I think so too! 😉
Jess says
Nominated! And I'm going to try to make this today. Mmmmmmmmm. <3
Sam says
Thank you so very much Jess! Enjoy!
peawry says
nominated!!
Sam says
Very much appreciate it, thank you peawry!
carrie says
Nominated! I love, love, love your site!!! Thank you for all of your hard work 🙂
Sam says
Aww shucks thanks Carrie! Thank you for being a reader and the for the nomination!
Heleen says
Love your recipes (a very special thank you for the sriracha cauliflower). Love your blog. Nominated you!
Sam says
Thank you so very much Heleen! I very much appreciate you taking the time! 🙂
amy says
Hi Sam!
I simply LOVE your recipes. question for you.........peanut butter has a reputation as being a 'bad' choice in nut butters. Any feedback on your part is greatly appreciated. Thanks-
Sam says
Hi Amy,
Thank you!! It would be a sad, sad world without peanut butter. The good news, it's good for you! Hooray! I find the media likes to pick on perfectly good whole plant foods instead of focusing on processed food, meat and dairy. No, it probably wouldn't be a good idea if your diet only consisted of peanuts, but including them as a part of your diet is very good for you. Where as eating any amount of processed foods, meat and dairy is simply straight up bad for your health. I wonder what industry the money is coming from? You don't see them talking about that much! Check out this video by Dr. Michael Greger on peanuts. http://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-peanut-butter-good-for-you/ He is a great trusted source for health information. The only warning I would give is to make sure you are buying natural peanut butter that only contains peanuts, no added oils or sugar. Yes, you might have to stir it, but to make it easier, when you first bring the peanut butter home from the grocery store, put it away upside down, it will make it easy to mix when you go to use it. 😉
Tamara Pemberton says
I made this with cauliflower(which I steamed first) and zucchini instead of the mushrooms. I think I may have over cooked some of the veggies but it still turned out great. I added some chile oil instead of sriracha because I didn't have any. I topped it with some cashews as well.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed!