Savor the irresistible flavors of Panda Express Chow Mein, a noodle delight bursting with savory goodness!

What is Panda Express chow mien?

Panda Express Chow Mein is a beloved dish from the popular American Chinese restaurant chain, Panda Express. This savory stir-fried noodle dish features a delightful combination of crunchy cabbage, celery slices, and sliced onions, all tossed together with a flavorful sauce. Originating from the United States, it has become a favorite for its simplicity and delicious taste.

Ingredients

Here’s what each ingredient does in this Panda Express Chow Mein recipe:

• Onion, thinly sliced: Adds sweetness and a slight crunch to the stir-fried noodles.
• Celery, thinly sliced: Brings a fresh, crisp texture to the dish.
• Cabbage, roughly chopped: Provides a hearty crunch and absorbs the savory sauce.

Sauce:

• Soy sauce: Adds a rich, salty flavor to the noodles.
• Sugar: Balances the saltiness of the soy sauce with a hint of sweetness.
• Shaoxing wine: Enhances the overall flavor with a subtle depth.

• White pepper: Adds a mild heat and a hint of earthiness.
• Sesame oil: Gives a nutty aroma and taste, making the dish fragrant.
• Chicken stock: Creates a savory base that blends all the flavors together.

Steps

Prepare the Sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sugar, Shaoxing wine, white pepper, sesame oil, YumYum (or MSG), and chicken stock.
2. Stir until the sugar and YumYum are dissolved. Set aside.

Cook the Noodles

3. Cook the chow mein noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds
4. Drain and set aside.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables

5. Heat a wok over medium-high heat.
6. Add a small amount of oil and swirl to coat the wok.
7. Add the sliced onion, cabbage and celery to the wok.
8. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften

Combine and Serve

9. Add the cooked chow mein noodles to the wok with the vegetables.
10. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
11. Toss everything together, ensuring the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.
12. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
13. Serve immediately

Tips for the Perfect Panda Express Chow Mein

Cook’s Tips for Success

• Prep all ingredients beforehand: Chop your veggies and mix your sauce before you start cooking. This makes the process smooth and stress-free.
• Use a hot wok or non-stick pan: A hot surface ensures your vegetables and noodles cook quickly without getting soggy.
• Don’t overcook the noodles: Blanch noodles just until they are tender but still firm. Overcooked noodles can become mushy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the sauce preparation: Mixing the sauce ingredients in advance ensures an even flavor throughout the dish.
• Overcrowding the pan: Cooking too many vegetables at once can lower the pan’s temperature, making the stir-fry soggy instead of crisp.
• Not stirring constantly: Keep stirring the vegetables and noodles to avoid burning and to ensure everything cooks evenly.

Variations

• Add protein: You can include sautéed chicken, tofu, or shrimp to make it a main dish.
• Try different noodles: Yakisoba noodles, fresh noodles, egg noodles, ramen noodles, or yellow noodles all work well.
• Mix up the vegetables: Bell pepper, bean sprouts, fresh ginger, or even a cabbage stir-fry can add variety and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

• As a Side Dish: Serve alongside other Chinese favorites like fried rice, egg rolls, or crab rangoons for a complete meal.
• With Soups: Pair it with a warm bowl of egg drop soup or hot and sour soup to create a comforting dinner.
• With Vegetables: Complement the chow mein with garlic bok choy, choy sum, or gai lan for a balanced and nutritious meal.

• With Protein: Enjoy it with Mongolian chicken, honey sesame chicken, or gochujang chicken for added protein and flavor.
• For Variety: Try serving it with soy garlic tofu or bang bang shrimp for a unique twist.

Panda Express Chow Mien

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Print Recipe

Savor the irresistible flavors of Panda Express Chow Mein, a noodle delight bursting with savory goodness!

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 200g Chow mien noodles
• 1/2 Onion, thinly sliced
• 1 stalk Celery, thinly sliced
• 1 leaf Cabbage, roughly chopped

Sauce

• 3 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• Pinch of White pepper
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp YumYum, you can buy it here or use MSG
• 1/2 cup Chicken stock

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Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sugar, Shaoxing wine, white pepper, sesame oil, YumYum (or MSG), and chicken stock.
2. Stir until the sugar and YumYum are dissolved. Set aside.

Cook the Noodles

1. Cook the chow mein noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds
2. Drain and set aside.

Stir-Fry the Vegetables

1. Heat a wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add a small amount of oil and swirl to coat the wok.
3. Add the sliced onion, cabbage and celery to the wok.
4. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften

Combine and Serve

1. Add the cooked chow mein noodles to the wok with the vegetables.
2. Pour the prepared sauce over the noodles and vegetables.
3. Toss everything together, ensuring the noodles and vegetables are evenly coated with the sauce.
4. Stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
5. Serve immediately

• Author: Vincent Yeow Lim
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Noodles
• Method: Easy
• Cuisine: American Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 237
• Sugar: 22.1 g
• Sodium: 1960.6 mg
• Fat: 6.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 3.4 g
• Protein: 9.6 g
• Cholesterol: 3.6 mg