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This Panda Express chow mein copycat version can be made in just 20 minutes right at home (and it tastes so much better than the original!).
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2nd time making this week! So good! I just used a pack of Mr.Noodle (no seasoning pack), because that’s what I had on hand. My picky teenager loved it!
Why you’ll love Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat
Lightning fast recipe. This is a speedy 20 minute recipe start to finish. It’s so much faster than delivery or takeout using Yaki-Soba noodles, onion, celery, cabbage, and an easy stir-fry sauce.
Uses better-quality ingredients. You can use high quality oils and avoid unwanted sodium and preservatives, loading this up with all the feel-good veggies, perfect for those picky eaters!
So customizable. Making this at home allows you to completely customize this dish with what you have on hand, adding in leftover proteins (for example, rotisserie chicken) and lingering veggies to transform this into a hearty main dish.
What is chow mein?
This is a popular Chinese dish that translates to “stir fried noodles” in Cantonese. The noodles are stir fried or pan-fried, resulting in a crispier texture in a light sauce whereas lo mein noodles are softer and fully boiled with a richer sauce.
Key Ingredients
Noodles: Yaki-Soba noodles, ramen noodles, or fresh Chinese egg noodles
Vegetables: onion, celery, and cabbage
Sauce: soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger, and white pepper
How to make Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat
Cook the noodles. Boil the Yaki-Soba noodles until loosened, about 1-2 minutes, rinsing with cold water to halt the cooking process.
Prep the stir fry sauce. Combine the soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger, and white pepper.
Stir fry the vegetables. Cook the onion and celery in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat until tender, then stir in the cabbage until softened.
Combine and toss. Stir in the Yaki-Soba noodles and stir fry sauce until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.
What to serve with Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat
Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yaki-Soba?
Yaki-Soba are ramen-style noodles and can be found in the refrigerated aisle of your local grocery store.
What can I substitute for the Yaki-Soba?
Ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) and lo mein noodles are both excellent substitutes.
What vegetables are in Panda Express chow mein?
Their chow mein includes a simple trio of onion, celery, and cabbage.
Can I add protein or extra vegetables?
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly flexible and forgiving, and it’s the perfect opportunity to use up leftover protein (chicken, steak, pork, or shrimp) and veggies (carrots, mushrooms, bell peppers, or bok choy).
How can I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, reheating on the stovetop over medium heat in a skillet or wok with a splash of water or broth for 3-4 minutes (to restore its original texture).
Panda Express Chow Mein Copycat
Yield: 4servings
Prep: 10 minutesminutes
Cook: 10 minutesminutes
Total: 20 minutesminutes
This Panda Express chow mein copycat version can be made in just 20 minutes right at home (and it tastes so much better than the original!).
In a large pot of boiling water, add Yaki-Soba until loosened, about 1-2 minutes; rinse with cold water and drain well.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, ginger and white pepper; set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and celery, and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in cabbage until heated through, about 1 minute.
Stir in Yaki-Soba and soy sauce mixture until well combined, about 2 minutes.
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