Lo mein - 捞面 - is stir fried Chinese eggs noodles with a combination of veggies and meat or seafood. Although this dish is of Cantonese origin, it is also a super popular Chinese-American menu staple.

What's the difference between lo mein and chow mein?

Lo mein noodles are typically boiled until soft (similar to spaghetti). Chow mein noodles are usually fried until crispy. That said, they are both wheat-flour based egg noodles commonly used in Chinese stir fries. And, aside from mild differences in shape, the composition is practically identical.

Why are my shrimp rubbery?

If they're rubbery, the shrimp are probably overcooked. The shrimp should be cooked separately. If they're kept in the pan the entire time, they'll overcook by the time the veggies are ready. I re-add my cooked shrimp to the pan at the very end - when I'm mixing the noodles, veggies and sauce.

Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?

Yes! For sure. While white pepper is a more traditional choice, black pepper is delicious on lo mein too.

Do I need a wok for this recipe? Or will a frying pan work too?

Any large frying pan will work just fine for this. Woks have some big-time advantages for restaurant chefs working in industrial kitchens with fighter-jet-engines for gas burners. For the rest of us, a frying pan will do. I use a flat bottom wok at home (which is basically a frying pan anyway).

Shrimp Lo Mein - 虾捞面

Name: Shrimp Lo Mein - 虾捞面
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 8 oz. large shrimp (1/2 pound), peeled and deveined; 1 pound fresh pre-cooked lo mein noodles, fresh chow mein noodles, fresh egg noodles, or fresh ramen noodles; 3 tablespoons neutral oil (like vegetable or canola), divided; 3 cups mixed vegetables – like red bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, napa cabbage, or bok choy – julienne cut or finely chopped; 1 cup snow peas, trimmed; White ground pepper (optional); 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon shaoxing wine or dry sherry; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Description

Smoky, umami wok fried Shrimp Lo Mein. Make it at home in just 17 minutes. Packed with springy shrimp and crisp veggies. Just like my favorite Chinese takeout.

Ingredients

Scale

For the lo mein stir fry:

8 oz. large shrimp (1/2 pound), peeled and deveined
1 pound fresh pre-cooked lo mein noodles, fresh chow mein noodles, fresh egg noodles, or fresh ramen noodles
3 tablespoons neutral oil (like vegetable or canola), divided
3 cups mixed vegetables – like red bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, napa cabbage, or bok choy – julienne cut or finely chopped
1 cup snow peas, trimmed
White ground pepper (optional)

For the lo mein sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon shaoxing wine or dry sherry
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil

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Instructions

Mix the sauce. Put the soy sauce, oyster sauce, shaoxing wine, minced garlic and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
Boil and drain the noodles. Boil the noodles according package instructions, drain and toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. This will prevent the noodles from sticking together. Set aside.
Cook the shrimp. In a large deep pan or wok over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes and transfer them to a plate. Set aside.
Stir fry the vegetables. Raise the temperature to medium-high (or high if your stove top doesn’t get really hot) and add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the julienned vegetables and snow peas and stir fry for 4 minutes.
Add shrimp, noodles and sauce. Add the cooked shrimp, noodles and the sauce and toss well for 1 minute.
Season and serve. Turn heat off, transfer lo mein to a plate and serve with white ground pepper.

Notes

Shrimp lo mein tastes best hot and fresh out of the wok – but leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 353
Sugar: 4.3g
Sodium: 906mg
Fat: 12.2g
Saturated Fat: 1.7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4.9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 43.8g
Fiber: 2.3g
Protein: 14.5g
Cholesterol: 91.2mg