Chow mein is a westernized form of Chinese food best described as stir-fried noodles with various toppings. Chow mein is a simple dish to prepare. Boiled noodles are browned on one side, then flipped over and cooked on the other side. This makes the noodles golden brown and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Noodles cooked in this way are also called “double-sided browned” and “twice browned” noodles.
Choosing And Preparing The Noodles
While it’s possible to make Chow Mein with Italian spaghetti noodles or German egg noodles, you’ll almost certainly want to use real Chinese egg noodles. There are several varieties available at most grocery stores, from very fine to coarse. Classic Chow Mein noodles are skinny and are usually labeled as Chow Mein noodles. Check the label to make sure the noodles you select are actually egg noodles rather than rice noodles with a bit of a yellow flavor!
Cook noodles in 8 cups of boiling water according to package directions, until tender but with a little resistance in the middle. Use a wooden spoon or cooking chopsticks to separate the noodles as they cook.
Drain And Toss With Sesame Oil
Remove the noodles with a slotted spoon and place them in a strainer. Rinse the noodles twice in cold water, draining well each time. Remove to a bowl and toss the noodles in 1 teaspoon of Asian sesame oil.
Oil The Bread
In a 12-inch nonstick skillet with a nonstick coating, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Tilt the pan and move it around so that the oil coats the bottom.
Cook The Noodles
When the oil is hot, use a spatula to push the noodles into the pan. Cook noodles until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Press down on the noodles with a spatula during cooking, this helps to form them into a nest shape and makes sure they cook evenly.
Remove The Noodles From The Pan
Place the noodle cake on a plate. The easiest way is to flip the noodles frittata-style: place a plate over the noodles, then invert the pan so the noodles fall onto the plate, browned side up.
Grease The Bread And Add The Noodles
Add a small amount of oil, 1/2 tablespoon, or as much as needed to lightly coat the bottom of the pan. Return the noodles to the pan.
Brown The Other Side Of The Noodles
Cook until golden on the bottom, usually about 4 to 5 minutes. Again, lightly press down on the noodles during cooking. Once the noodles are browned on both sides, slide the noodles out of the pan onto a plate.
Note: The exact cooking time varies depending on the type and even the brand of noodles you are using. If, after browning both sides, the noodles aren’t as crispy as you like, you can fry them on both sides a little longer – you shouldn’t need to add extra oil to the pan.
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