What’s in Shrimp Lo Mein? A Delicious Exploration of This Classic Chinese Dish

Shrimp lo mein is a beloved Chinese takeout dish that has become a staple of Americanized Chinese cuisine. With its hearty portions of chewy noodles, plump shrimp, crisp vegetables, and rich savory sauce, it’s easy to see why this meal-in-one is so popular. But what exactly goes into making this flavorful noodle stir fry? Let’s take a closer look at the core ingredients that make up shrimp lo mein and why they all come together into such a tasty final product.

The Noodles

The star of the show in any lo mein dish is obviously the noodles. Traditionally, fresh Chinese egg noodles are used which provide that distinctive soft, bouncy, and chewy texture when cooked. They have a rich eggy flavor that pairs perfectly with the ingredients in the stir fry. Dried lo mein egg noodles are the most convenient alternative found at many grocery stores, though fresh ramen noodles also work well. For a gluten-free option, mung bean noodles or rice noodles can be substituted. Whatever noodles you choose, be sure to boil until just shy of al dente before adding them to the wok to finish cooking. This ensures they don’t get mushy or overcooked.

The Shrimp

Plump, juicy shrimp are what give this noodle dish its name. The shrimp add plenty of protein and texture contrast to the soft noodles. Traditionally the shrimp are simply sautéed briefly until just cooked through before combining everything together in the wok. This prevents them from becoming rubbery. Large shrimp around 21/25 to 31/40 size are ideal so they don’t get lost among all the noodles and veggies. But smaller shrimp or even bay shrimp can be used in a pinch. Just avoid overcooking them. A sprinkling of minced garlic and ginger along with some soy sauce in the marinade adds tons of flavor to the shrimp as they cook.

The Vegetables

One of the best things about shrimp lo mein is how the vegetables provide crunch and freshness to balance out the rich noodles and shrimp. Standard veggies like carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts, onions, and scallions are commonly used But you can really add any of your favorites, whether it’s mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, etc The key is to cut them into small, thin strips so they cook quickly and mix in with each noodle bite. Stir-frying the veggies on high heat right before adding the noodles is important for retaining that crisp-tender texture.

The Sauce

What really brings all the components of shrimp lo mein together is the flavorful sauce. It has a balanced sweet, salty and umami taste profile. The sauce is made from a combination of soy sauce oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, stock, cornstarch, and sometimes hoisin. These ingredients create a savory sauce that lightly coats each noodle, shrimp, and veggie piece with intense flavor and also gives the finished dish a lovely sheen. The sauce comes together quickly right in the wok so it has a fresher taste than heavily thickened takeout versions.

Aromatics

Garlic, ginger, and scallions are often used to provide aromatic flavor in shrimp lo mein They are typically sautéed first in the hot oil to release their fragrance before the shrimp and vegetables are added. This simple step adds a depth of flavor that enhances all the other ingredients The minced garlic and ginger also season the shrimp. And scallions provide fresh oniony flavor, especially when used minced as garnish. White and light green parts are cooked with the noodles while the green tops are saved to sprinkle on at the end.

Cooking Equipment

To make truly restaurant-quality shrimp lo mein at home, a well-seasoned wok is highly recommended. The shape and high heat capability allow for quick, even stir-frying that can’t be replicated in a flat skillet or pot. However, for home cooks who don’t own a wok, using a large non-stick skillet or Dutch oven also works fine. The key is ensuring the pan is large enough to toss all the ingredients together without overcrowding. And prepping all the ingredients beforehand makes the cooking process much faster and easier.

Putting It All Together

Shrimp lo mein may seem like a complex dish, but it actually comes together quite quickly when you have organized prep work and the right cooking equipment. Once you’ve prepped all your ingredients – boiled noodles, marinated shrimp, sliced vegetables, and measured sauce – the cooking itself takes less than 10 minutes. First aromatics are cooked, then shrimp, then harder vegetables, and finally noodles and sauce all get tossed with the shrimp and soft vegetables at the end. A Sprinkle of scallions finishes it off. With a little practice, you’ll be able to whip up restaurant-worthy shrimp lo mein at home any night of the week!

Now that you know what goes into this classic dish, here is a detailed shrimp lo mein recipe to try for yourself:

Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

Ingredients:

• 12 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb fresh lo mein noodles
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1⁄4 cup scallions, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
• 1⁄4 cup celery, sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1⁄4 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1⁄4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 tsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Boil lo mein noodles according to package directions until just shy of al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Toss noodles with a drizzle of sesame oil to prevent sticking.

2. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, broth, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.

3. Heat wok on high heat. Add olive oil, garlic, and ginger. Cook briefly until fragrant.

4. Add shrimp and stir fry for 1-2 minutes until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp from wok.

5. Add carrots, cabbage, scallions, bamboo shoots, and celery. Stir fry for 2 minutes.

6. Return shrimp to wok along with noodles and sauce mixture. Toss everything together until noodles are heated through and coated in sauce, about 2-3 minutes.

7. Stir in bean sprouts just until wilted, about 1 minute.

8. Remove from heat and serve shrimp lo mein hot! Enjoy this classic Chinese takeout dish made right in your own kitchen.

So there you have it – a complete look at what goes into making delicious shrimp lo mein and a recipe to make it yourself. The key is fresh, quality ingredients, proper prep, and using high heat for quick, even stir-frying. Once you get the technique down, you’ll be able to recreate this favorite Chinese restaurant order anytime the craving strikes. So give shrimp lo mein a try and savor all the flavors that have made it such a universally beloved noodle stir-fry dish. Your tastebuds will thank you!