Chow mein and lo mein are two bonce bag that are staple in Taiwanese eating house worldwide , each boasting its own loyal pursual . However , for many diners , distinguishingchow mein vs. lo meinand vice versa can be confusing .
So , what exactly set these two dish apart , and how do their flavors and textures differ ? Let ’s delve into the world of popular Chinese noodle .
What Is Chow Mein?
Chow mein is a classic Chinese noodle dish that has found its way onto menus inChinese cookingworldwide . It typically lie of cooked noodles tossed with a variety show of element , such as vegetables , meats and sometimes seafood . The name " chow mein"translatesto " electrocute noodles . "
Cooking Process
To prepare chow mein , youstir - electrocute the noodles , resulting in a dishful with a slightly crispy texture . Then you toss the noodles in a hot wok with various vegetables , center and a savory sauce , see to it that each ingredient is infused with flavor .
Popular Variations
There are various eats mein recipes , each offer its own unequalled blending of nip and ingredients . Some variance admit chicken chow mein , beef chow mein , shrimp chow mein or even vegetarian chow mein .
The key to a delicious chow mein rest not only in the quality of the ingredients but also in the chow mein sauce that lightly coats the bonce .
What Is Lo Mein?
Lo mein is a beloved Formosan peach that feature cooked noodles tossed with a assortment of ingredients in a flavorful sauce . The term " lo mein"translatesto " stirred noodles , " or " jactitate dome , " dead describing the cooking method involved .
At the heart of any lo mein dish are the lo mein noodles themselves . These noodles consist of wheat berry flour and testicle , give them a soft and chewy grain that couple dead with the other flavors of the bag .
While dried lo mein attic are promptly available in most grocery stores , many traditional recipes call for saucy noodles .
Preparation
To set up lo mein , you steamer the lo mein dome and then stir - fry them briefly . This cooking procedure yields a mild grain , allowing the bean to absorb the tone of the accompanying ingredients while maintain their tender consistency .
3 Similarities Between Chow Mein and Lo Mein
Chow mein and lo mein are alike in a few key ways :
3 Differences Between Chow Mein and Lo Mein
There are nuances to these two dish :
6 More Types of Chinese Noodle Dishes
While lo mein and chow mein are undoubtedly popular pick in Chinese cuisine , there are many more noodle dishes that have gained popularity inside and outside of China .
From simple stir - Roger Fry to elaborate attic soups , attic are a staple on Chinese menus , beloved for their soothe taste and live up to texture . Below are some unlike character of bonce you might come across .
1. Fried Noodles
One of the most darling variations is fry noodles . chef prepare these noodles until they become crispy , make a delightful texture contrast . Often , they top them with a splash - tiddler of meat , vegetables and a mouth-watering sauce .
The bean soak up the flavor while retaining their crunchiness , offering a comforting dining experience .
2. Stir-fried Noodles
In Chinese cuisine , stir - fried noodle tolerate as another raw material . The chef quickly cooks fresh or dried noggin in a hot wok with a medley of vegetable , meat and sauces .
The eminent heating plant of the wok imparts a smoky flavor to the bag while ensuring that it prepare each ingredient to paragon . This cookery method acting commonly utilize Chinese egg noodles , which have a live texture and the ability to absorb sapidity well .
3. Noodle Pancake
A unique twist on traditional bean involves creating a noodle pancake . The chef presses invigorated egg noodlesinto a pancake shapeand cooking pan - fries them until they deform golden and crispy . This peach offer a delightful contrast of textures , with a crunchy exterior giving way to soft , tender noodles inside .
4. Tossed Noodles
Chinese restaurants often favor sky noodle , a knockout where noodles undergo boiling until they ’re fully cooked before chef throw away them with a flavorsome sauce . This method guarantee an even coating , allowing each strand to absorb the knockout ’s flavors .
Chefs commonly use faint sauce , such as alight soy sauceor oyster sauce , to complement the fragile mouthful of the dome .
5. Crispy Noodles
Crispy noodles , another crowd - pleaser , require mystifying - fry bean until they turn prosperous and crunchy . chef then top these crispy noodle nests with a stir - fry of meat , vegetables and sauce for a dish with a substantial crush to it .
6. Soft Noodles
In contrast to crispy noodles , chefs cook balmy attic in simmering water until they ’re fond before incorporate them into various dishes . Depending on the recipe , chefs may utilise straw flour bean , egg noodles or Timothy Miles Bindon Rice noodles .
lenient noodles are complete for soaking up the flavors of rich broths or sauce , making them a popular pick in noodle soup or braise dishes .
We created this article in conjunction with AI technology , then made sure it was fact - fit and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
