Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

If you’re craving the unmistakable stir-fried noodle goodness of Panda Express Chow Mein, you’re going to love this recipe! In just 15 minutes, you can bring that iconic savory, slightly sweet, and perfectly chewy noodle experience to your own kitchen. It’s satisfyingly simple, super quick, and packed with all the flavors you remember (plus, it tastes even fresher homemade!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Panda Express Chow Mein recipe uses a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients—but each one plays a starring role in building that signature restaurant flavor and texture. Here’s what gives every bite its irresistible magic!

• Chow mein noodles (1 lb, fresh kind): These classic, slightly chewy noodles are the backbone of the dish—look for them in your local Asian market’s refrigerated section for best texture.
• Cabbage (2 cups, thinly sliced): Cabbage adds gentle sweetness, a pop of color, and those irresistible tender-crisp bites.
• Celery (1 cup, sliced): For fresh, crunchy texture and a mild earthiness that rounds out the veggies.
• Onion (1 small, sliced): Sautéed onions give a touch of savory depth and aromatic sweetness.
• Vegetable oil (2 Tbsp): A neutral oil is perfect for high-heat stir-frying and helps everything stay glossy and delicious.
• Soy sauce (2 Tbsp regular, ½ Tbsp dark): The blend of regular and dark soy sauce brings rich color and layers of savory flavor—dark soy is key for authentic color.
• Oyster sauce (2 Tbsp): This savory sauce adds that restaurant-level umami; use vegetarian stir fry sauce for a meatless option.
• Sesame oil (1 Tbsp): Just a splash lifts the whole dish with a nutty, toasty aroma (don’t skip it!).
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced): For fresh, aromatic punch with every mouthful.
• Chicken stock (¼ cup, low-sodium): Adds moisture and helps distribute the sauce—cold water works too!
• Cornstarch (½ Tbsp): A tiny bit thickens the sauce so it clings perfectly to each noodle. Potato starch works as well if needed.

Variations

Don’t be afraid to make this Panda Express Chow Mein recipe entirely your own! The basic framework is amazingly adaptable, so go wild with swaps based on what’s in your fridge or how you want to eat tonight.

• Vegan/Vegetarian: Use a vegetarian stir fry sauce instead of oyster sauce and swap the chicken stock with veggie broth (or just water).
• Add Protein: Toss in cooked chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even scrambled eggs to transform this into a protein-packed meal.
• Spicy Kick: Add a dash of chili flakes, sriracha, or thinly sliced fresh chilies to the sauce for some heat.
• Low-Sodium: Choose low-sodium soy sauce and broth for a lighter, heart-healthier take on your chow mein.

How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein

Step 1: Mix the Chow Mein Sauce

The flavorful backbone of this recipe is the sauce, and it takes just a minute! In a small bowl, whisk together the regular and dark soy sauces, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, chicken stock, and cornstarch until smooth. Let it hang out while you prep the other ingredients—the flavors will mingle and deepen as you work.

Step 2: Prep and Blanch Your Noodles

Fill a big pan halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Drop in your fresh chow mein noodles and give them a gentle stir—blanch for just 20–30 seconds, only until they’re loosened up and tender. Strain them right away and set aside (don’t rinse them; you want that lovely starch for soaking up sauce later!).

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

Place your largest pan or wok over medium-high heat and swirl in one tablespoon of vegetable oil. When shimmering, add the sliced onions, cabbage, and celery. Stir-fry for about a minute—just until everything’s become slightly soft, glossy, and aromatic. The quick cook keeps the veggies fresh and crisp-tender.

Step 4: Combine Noodles and Sauce

Push the cooked veggies to the side of the pan to create a little open space. Pour the remaining oil into that spot, then toss in your drained noodles and the prepared sauce. Use tongs or two big forks to toss, toss, toss—mixing everything together until the noodles are glistening and evenly coated. This is where your kitchen starts to smell like Panda Express Chow Mein!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

As soon as the noodles are hot and glossy, take the pan off the heat. Serve immediately while it’s piping hot and the sauce is still clinging to every noodle—enjoy that first bite straight from the pan, no shame!

How to Serve Panda Express Chow Mein

Garnishes

This dish practically begs for a little garnish magic! Try a sprinkle of sliced scallions or green onions for freshness, sesame seeds for crunch, or a few shreds of carrot for color pop. If you want extra zing, a drizzle of chili oil or a few dabs of sriracha look (and taste) fantastic on top.

Side Dishes

Panda Express Chow Mein is a star all on its own, but it really shines next to homemade orange chicken, honey walnut shrimp, egg rolls, or even simple steamed broccoli. Add some hot and sour soup or spring rolls for a takeout-style feast right at home!

Creative Ways to Present

Serve piled high in bowls for cozy weeknight dinners, or tangle the noodles on a platter for a party-worthy family-style spread. You can even twirl portions in muffin tins to create cute “noodle nests” for a fun kid-friendly lunch or serve in takeout-style boxes for game night.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Panda Express Chow Mein keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and leftovers make an awesome next-day lunch.

Freezing

For best texture, fresh is key—but if you want to freeze, let the noodles cool completely, portion into zip-top bags, and freeze for up to 1 month. The vegetables will soften a bit when reheated but the flavors will still be spot-on.

Reheating

For tastiest results, reheat chow mein in a hot skillet with a splash of water or broth, tossing just until steaming and saucy. The microwave works too for a quick fix—just don’t overheat or the noodles may get mushy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

You absolutely can—and should!—make this Panda Express Chow Mein at home for an instant comfort-food classic. Once you see how quick, tasty, and easy it is, you’ll want to whip it up anytime that noodle craving hits. Gather your ingredients, grab your wok, and get ready to taste pure takeout joy from your own stovetop. Enjoy every warm, saucy, delicious bite!

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