Quick & Savory Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe At Home

Craving a delightful chow mein that captures the essence of panda express without leaving your kitchen?

Noodles dance with vibrant vegetables in this quick and satisfying recipe that promises restaurant-quality flavor at home.

Crisp cabbage, tender carrots, and succulent onions create a colorful medley that will make your taste buds sing.

Every twirl of these perfectly seasoned noodles brings a burst of umami and comfort.

Home cooks can easily master this dish with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Watching these golden strands sizzle in the pan feels like culinary magic unfolding before you.

Let’s unlock the secret to recreating this beloved takeout classic that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe Is A Takeout Favorite

• Satisfy Quickly: This chow mein recipe delivers restaurant-quality taste in mere minutes, perfect for satisfying sudden hunger cravings without complicated cooking steps.
• Master Easily: Designed for home cooks of all skill levels, the recipe requires minimal culinary expertise and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible for beginners and experienced chefs alike.
• Veggie-Packed Nutrition: Loaded with fresh vegetables like cabbage, onions, and celery, this dish provides a balanced meal that sneaks extra nutrients into a delicious noodle experience.
• Customize Freely: The recipe offers simple adaptability, allowing home cooks to add protein like chicken or tofu, adjust vegetable quantities, or modify sauce intensity to personal preferences.

What’s In Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

• Chow Mein Noodles: Thin wheat-based noodles that provide the base for this classic stir-fry dish.

• Onions, Cabbage, Celery: Fresh vegetables that add crunch, flavor, and nutritional value to the chow mein.

• Vegetable Oil, Chow Mein Sauce: A flavorful combination that helps to coat the noodles and vegetables, creating a delicious and cohesive dish.

Easy Steps For Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor-Packed Sauce

Grab a small bowl and mix together the zesty sauce ingredients. Blend them until smooth and set aside, letting the flavors mingle and get excited about their upcoming noodle adventure.

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• White pepper

Step 2: Prep the Noodle Base

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently drop in the chow mein noodles and let them dance in the hot water for about 30 seconds.

Quick drain the noodles, making sure they’re perfectly loosened and ready for their stir-fry destiny.

Step 3: Sizzle the Veggie Medley

Fire up a large wok over medium-high heat.

• Onions
• Cabbage
• Celery

Stir and cook these veggies until they become wonderfully soft and slightly translucent, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Create Cooking Space

Slide the cooked vegetables to the side of the wok, creating a sizzling empty space for the next magical step.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Pour in the remaining vegetable oil.

Add the prepared noodles and that amazing sauce you made earlier. Toss everything together with confidence, making sure the noodles soak up all those incredible flavors.

Keep stirring until the noodles are perfectly coated and glistening.

Step 6: Serve and Devour

Remove the wok from heat.

Transfer your mouthwatering chow mein to serving plates. Get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen!

Tips For Nailing Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

• Soak noodles briefly to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture, ensuring they remain tender yet firm.
• Chop vegetables uniformly for even cooking and consistent bite in every mouthful of the chow mein.
• Use high heat when stir-frying to create that signature wok-style sear and prevent soggy vegetables.
• Adjust sauce quantity based on personal preference, adding more for extra flavor or less for lighter taste.
• For vegetarian version, replace vegetable oil with sesame oil and add tofu or plant-based protein for more substance.

Tasty Variations On Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein and a hearty meal.
• Spicy Sichuan Style: Incorporate chili oil, red pepper flakes, and Sichuan peppercorns for a fiery kick.
• Veggie Lover's Version: Double the vegetable variety with mushrooms, bell peppers, and bean sprouts for more nutrition.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat noodles with rice noodles or zucchini noodles for a lighter alternative.

Perfect Pairings For Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

• Elevate Chow Mein with Perfect Pairings
• Sip and Savor Asian Lager: Crisp Japanese or Chinese beer like Sapporo or Tsingtao cuts through the noodles' richness, refreshing your palate with each bite.
• Brighten with Citrus Mocktail: Craft a zesty lime and ginger spritzer that complements the savory noodles, adding a light, tangy counterpoint to the dish's hearty flavors.
• Balance with Crisp White Wine: Choose a slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that echoes the subtle sweetness in the chow mein sauce while providing a clean, aromatic finish.

How To Store Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the noodles.
• Reheat in Microwave: Place chow mein in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent dryness, and heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Skillet Reheating: Warm a non-stick pan over medium heat, add a splash of oil, then toss the noodles quickly to restore their original texture and prevent sticking. Heat for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly warm.
• Freeze Option: Wrap cooled chow mein in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe Questions Answered

• What are chow mein noodles?

Chow mein noodles are thin, yellow wheat-based noodles commonly used in Chinese cuisine. They’re slightly different from regular spaghetti and have a distinctive texture perfect for stir-frying.

• Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

Yes, you can swap or add vegetables like carrots, bean sprouts, or mushrooms. Just ensure they’re chopped similarly and cook quickly to maintain their crispness.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

Currently, this recipe is vegetarian. However, you can easily add protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make it more substantial.

• How spicy is this Panda Express Chow Mein?

The original recipe is mild and not spicy.

Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Panda Express chow mein noodles bring authentic Chinese-American street flavor straight to kitchen counters. Crisp vegetables and perfectly seasoned noodles deliver restaurant-quality comfort you can easily recreate with simple ingredients and quick cooking techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) chow mein noodles or yaki soba noodles
• 2 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1 cup celery, sliced on an angle
• 1 small onion, sliced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons regular soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 0.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.25 cup unsalted chicken stock
• 0.5 tablespoon cornstarch

Cooking Oil:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Whisk together sauce ingredients in a compact vessel, reserving for later integration.
2. Immerse noodles in rapidly boiling water for approximately 30 seconds until they become pliable, then immediately drain through a colander.
3. Heat wok to medium-high temperature, introducing initial portion of vegetable oil.
4. Sauté onions, cabbage, and celery until they develop a tender translucency, roughly 60-90 seconds.
5. Shift vegetable mixture toward wok’s perimeter, creating a central cooking zone.
6. Pour remaining oil into exposed area of wok.
7. Introduce prepared noodles and premixed sauce directly into wok’s center.
8. Vigorously toss ingredients, ensuring comprehensive coating and sauce absorption throughout noodle strands.
9. Continue stirring until noodles appear glossy and ingredients are uniformly distributed.
10. Remove wok from heat source, transferring contents to serving platter immediately.

Notes

• Noodle Blanching Tip: Precisely time the 30-second boiling to prevent overcooking, ensuring perfectly tender yet firm noodles.
• Vegetable Prep Hack: Slice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Sauce Absorption Trick: Let noodles sit in hot wok for an extra 30 seconds after mixing to maximize flavor penetration and create slight caramelization.
• Dietary Adaptation: Swap wheat noodles with gluten-free alternatives like rice noodles or zucchini noodles for celiac or low-carb diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg