What is Beef Chow Mein? A Guide to the Classic Chinese-American Dish

Beef chow mein is a staple Chinese-American dish found on takeout menus across the country. This flavorful noodle stir-fry combines tender beef, veggies, and noodles bathed in a savory sauce. But what exactly is beef chow mein and how did it become so popular? This guide will cover everything you need to know about this tasty dish.

What is Chow Mein?

Chow mein is a Chinese stir-fried noodle dish that likely originated in China’s Shandong and Chihli provinces. The name “chow mein” means “stir-fried noodles” in Chinese. Chow mein eventually made its way to America in the early 1900s when Chinese immigrants brought their native cuisine.

Over time, Chinese restaurants in America developed their own unique regional styles and popularized dishes like chow mein. American chow mein diverged from the original Chinese recipe, incorporating ingredients more readily available in the U.S. This Americanized version of chow mein became a staple of Chinese-American cuisine.

Key Ingredients in Beef Chow Mein

While ingredients can vary between recipes, beef chow mein typically contains:

• Noodles – Chow mein noodles are made from egg noodle dough. They have a light yellow color and crunchy texture. Other common noodles used include lo mein, ramen, udon, or spaghetti.

• Beef – Thinly sliced flank steak, ground beef or cubed beef stew meat. Pork or chicken are also options.

• Vegetables – Popular veggies include cabbage, onion, celery, bean sprouts, carrots and green onion.

• Sauce – Made with broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and cornstarch.

• Aromatics – Garlic, ginger and red chili peppers add flavor.

• Garnishes – Chow mein is finished with fresh herbs like cilantro and green onion.

How is Beef Chow Mein Made?

Making restaurant-quality beef chow mein at home is easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Marinate the Beef – Toss beef strips or ground beef in a mix of soy sauce, cornstarch, oil and seasonings. Let sit 10-20 minutes.

2. Cook the Beef – Stir-fry marinated beef in a wok or skillet over high heat until caramelized. Remove and set aside.

3. Cook the Vegetables – Add veggies to the pan and stir-fry until just tender. Popular mix-ins are cabbage, onions, bean sprouts, peppers and carrots.

4. Prepare the Sauce – Whisk together broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar and cornstarch.

5. Toss the Noodles – Add cooled noodles, cooked beef and prepared sauce to the pan. Cook until sauce thickens and coats noodles.

6. Garnish and Serve – Garnish beef chow mein with green onions and cilantro. Enjoy immediately.

Chow Mein vs. Lo Mein

Beef chow mein is often confused with beef lo mein. While similar, there are some key differences:

• Noodles – Chow mein uses crunchy fried noodles while lo mein uses soft boiled noodles.

• Cooking Method – Chow mein noodles are stir-fried to create a crispy texture. Lo mein noodles are boiled then tossed with other ingredients.

• Flavor – Chow mein has a stronger toasted noodle flavor from frying. Lo mein noodles absorb the flavor of the sauce.

• Texture – Chow mein noodles retain their crispy texture. Lo mein noodles are soft and slippery.

Tips for Making the Best Beef Chow Mein

Follow these tips for ultimate chow mein success:

• Use the crunchiest noodles you can find. Look for “chow mein” on the package label.

• Don’t overcook the vegetables. You want them crisp-tender with some bite.

• Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding ingredients.

• Cook in batches if needed to allow even stir-frying.

• Let noodles cool completely before adding to other ingredients.

• Add sauce right before serving to avoid soggy noodles.

Popular Variations

Some tasty ways to customize your beef chow mein recipe:

• Chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu instead of beef

• Different vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms or water chestnuts

• Add spice with chili garlic sauce or sriracha

• Toasted sesame oil, ginger or 5-spice seasoning

• Garnish with cashews, sesame seeds or crispy wontons

• Crunchy deep-fried noodles on top

History of Chow Mein

Chow mein has a long and storied history spanning China and America:

• 1700s – Chow mein originates in China’s Shandong and Chihli provinces.

• 1800s – Chinese immigrants bring chow mein to America.

• 1920s – Chow mein appears on restaurant menus in San Francisco and New York.

• 1930s – La Choy begins canning chow mein noodles, increasing accessibility of Chinese ingredients.

• 1940s – Chow mein entrees gain popularity across America as Chinese restaurants proliferate.

• 1950s – Chow mein develops into a staple of Chinese-American cuisine.

• 1970s – Chow mein is a standard menu item in Chinese restaurants and takeout across America.

How to Order Beef Chow Mein

When ordering takeout chow mein, you’ll typically have options for ingredients and spice level:

• Protein – Beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or veggie.

• Mix-ins – Choose standard or add extra vegetables.

• Spice – Request mild, medium or spicy spice level.

• Sauce – Ask for sauce on the side to avoid soggy noodles.

• Fried Noodles – Opt for crispy fried noodles vs. soft boiled.

Ordering tips:

• Specify beef or your preferred protein.

• Ask for extra vegetables to up the nutrition.

• For less sodium, request low-sodium soy sauce.

• Get sauce on side to maintain crispy noodles.

• Fried noodles have more texture than soft boiled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common beef chow mein questions:

What kind of noodles are used in chow mein?

Chow mein noodles are traditional. Look for crunchy egg noodles labeled “chow mein”. Otherwise, lo mein or ramen noodles work too.

Is beef chow mein gluten free?

Traditional chow mein contains wheat noodles, making it not gluten free. Some restaurants may offer gluten free rice noodle options.

Can you freeze chow mein?

Yes, beef chow mein freezes well for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Add a splash of broth if the noodles seem dry.

Can you make chow mein without noodles?

Yes, you can make chow mein using thinly sliced veggies like cabbage, carrots and celery in place of noodles. Zucchini or butternut squash noodles also work.

Is chow mein healthy?

It can be when homemade. Use reduced sodium soy sauce, load up on veggies, and avoid deep-frying. Stir-frying maintains nutrients and flavor.

The Takeaway on Beef Chow Mein