This is a fairly quick and delicious pork chow mein recipe that you can cook up in around 30-40 minutes depending on how fast you prep the ingredients. In this pork chow mein recipe can you easily change out the mushrooms and vegetables to your liking.
This is a Cantonese dish I’ve needed in my life. Once I learned how to make this Pork Chow Mein Recipe, I never worried whether Chinese restaurants were closed because of a pandemic, or ordering hours in advance because of holiday.
On New Year’s Eve, Chinese Food Restaurants bring in up to six times their usual sales. That means planning ahead, which isn’t something I’m always good at.
This recipe is easy to create and almost better than authentic Chinese takeout. Almost! I keep most of the ingredients on hand anyway and hit the market for fresh pork and mushrooms, New Year’s Eve or not.
Table of Contents
Are Chow Mein Noodles the Same as Ramen Noodles?
Both Chow Mein noodles and Ramen noodles are a wheat noodle made with egg. Chow mein noodles are a cylindrical shape slightly thicker than spaghetti. They need a quick par-boil before stirfrying them with the pork, veggies, and sauce.
Ramen noodles are thinner than chow mein and cook fast when boiled. Ramen works better in a broth than a stirfry because they stay soft.
Ramen noodles are well-known and easy to find on a grocery store shelf in those small square plastic packages. I could have omitted the flavor package, and dove into the recipe with Ramen. But I went with chow mein noodles for authenticity.
What is Pork Chow Mein, Anyway?
Chow mein means the noodles are stirfried apart from the rest of the ingredients which are then added in after.
Pork Chow Mein is a Chinese dish made from pork, noodles, and vegetables. The noodles can be either wheat or rice-based, and the dish can be served either dry or with a gravy-like sauce.
Pork chow mein is a popular dish in Chinese restaurants around the world, and can be easily made at home with the right ingredients. When making pork chow mein, it is important to use lean pork so that the dish is not too greasy. The noodles should be cooked al dente, and the vegetables should be crisp and fresh.
For the perfect pork chow mein, be sure to use a good quality hoisin sauce, and freshly grated ginger and garlic. These ingredients will give the dish its characteristic flavor and aroma. Serve pork chow mein with steamed rice and a side of vegetables for a complete meal.
How Do I Make the Best Crispy Noodles
The best way to make a crispy noodle is in a deep-fryer. That isn’t waistline-friendly or always available. Instead, I use vegetable oil in a hot wok or saute pan. For the ultimate crispiness, stick with dried noodles rather than fresh. Heat the oil and toss them around in the pan until they crisp up and turn a golden color.
Can Chow Mein be Made with Spaghetti Noodles
You can substitute chow mein noodles with spaghetti noodles, but the outcome will vary from traditional chow mein. Spaghetti noodles will stay soft and not crisp up when fried.
Pork Chow Mein Nutrition Facts
Is chow mein healthy? It is a filling recipe that is high in protein. While it is carb-heavy at 43 grams, it is low in sugar, calories, and saturated fat.
Amazing Pork Chow Mein With Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g Pork tenderloin
- 200 g Chow Mein Noodles
- 1 Carrot Cut into thin strips
- 20 g Ginger Thinly sliced
- 10 Sugar snap peas
- 1 Clove Garlic Thinly sliced
- 4 Spring onions Sliced
- 150 g Shiitake or other wild mushrooms
- Vegetable oil
Marinade
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- A dash Sesame oil
- 1 pinch sugar
Sauce
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 pinch White pepper
- 1 tbsp mirin
Instructions
- Take a sharp knife and carefully trim the pork tenderloin to your satisfaction. Cut and slice the meat into long thin strips. Lay down the strips into a bowl and toss in the marinade, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. Set it aside and let it soak if you have time.
- Cut the carrot into thin strips so the carrot easily can weave in with the noodles. Continue to slice the ginger and garlic thinly, the sugar snap peas in half and the spring onion and mushrooms to your satisfaction.
- Boil the egg noodles according to the instructions on the package or until tender. Drain and rinse the noodles in a sieve under running water until cold, add a little bit of oil and toss it around.
- Heat 1 tbsp of oil in wok or large nonstick frying pan. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry over high heat until you have the consistency you want then transfer them onto a plate and put the pan back on the heat. (Adding a little bit of salt can help bring out the flavor and water)
- Add a little bit more oil and toss in the pork strips and stir fry over high heat for 2 minutes or until done. Then transfer them to a plate.
- Add a little bit more oil and once the pan is heated up again, add the carrot, sugar snap peas, spring onions, ginger and garlic and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until they've softened without turning soggy. Transfer them to the plate mushroom plate.
- Add a little bit more oil and add the noodles. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until they've turned into a nice color.
- Add the meat, vegetables, and mushrooms back into the pan and stir-fry everything together. Pour in the sauce mixture and continue tossing until everything is soaked and hot.
- Eat your delicious meal.
