difference between chop suey and chow mein

The sauce used for lo mein is soy sauce and oyster sauce.įor people wondering if lo mein is vegan-friendly, I have bad news. Then, mix the noodles with vegetables, meat, and seasonings such as peppers, minced garlic, and spring onions.

Lo mein’s main ingredient is Chinese noodles, but you can make this dish with leftover pasta as well. Put together, lo mein is a stirred noodle dish. “Lāo” means to stir, and “miàn” means noodles. It is actually derived from the Chinese name “lāo miàn” (1). Let’s start with lo mein.Īs you may have noticed, “lo mein” is not an English name. Let’s Learn About Lo Meinīefore telling you the similarities and differences between lo mein and chow mein, I will first introduce each type of noodles, so you have some background about what they are. The most delicious lo mein and chow mein recipes are also given to you at the end. I will show you all of the information about their similarities and differences so that you can tell them apart whenever you have to. Noodle lovers should not miss this article. But is that the only thing that makes people confused? No, there are more. If you taste both, you will notice a small difference in texture. Lo mein vs chow mein, do you know the differences between them? Or, are they identical to one another? I bet that you have at least tried one of them. The only way to find your favorite is to experiment! And why not try making your own? Both chow mein and lo mein are relatively easy to master for the home cook.Ĭooking is a creative process, so have fun playing around with the basic recipe.Lo mein and chow mein are two types of Chinese-style noodles Some prefer flat noodles, others round.Īnd then there are the cooks who love to douse their noodles in a ‘special’ sauce (and will take the recipe to their grave!). Some might use dried noodles, others fresh. If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you’ll notice a lot of variation between takeouts. Of course, every restaurant and every cook has their own way of doing things. If you’re looking for something with added bite, pick chow! So if you want something to slurp up with your sauce, pick the lo. Lo mein noodles are boiled rather than fried, so there’s less grease involved.īecause chow mein noodles are fried, they tend to be crispier than lo mein (which are softer and more tender). If you’re looking for a healthier option for dinner, go for lo mein over chow mein. Served in a sweet and sour sauce, there’s very little difference between chop suey and chow mein, but every cook has their own interpretation of this fusion food. Much like chow mein, it’s a noodle stir-fry and a one-pot meal where almost any type of veggies and protein would work. Lo mein and chow mein are often confused with another noodle dish – chop suey.Ĭhop suey is actually not an authentic Chinese dish but rather a Chinese-American hybrid. This gives them more time to soak up all the fragrant flavor. Here the noodles are fried in the sauce or thoroughly mixed in when the sauce is added towards the end of cooking. The sauce is prepared separately, and the noodles are added at the end.Ĭhow mein typically comes with a darker, richer sauce. With its tender noodles cooked in a rich broth, lo mein is usually paired with light sauces. While you’ll find many differences from restaurant to restaurant, lo mein and chow mein are generally served with certain sauces. Classic recipes are altered and tweaked from region to region and from generation to generation. There’s a lot of variation in Chinese cuisine. Meat-lovers can pick either chicken, pork, or beef lo mein and chow mein. Vegetarians can enjoy noodles with scrambled egg and/or shredded vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and peas. These are generally thick, loose noodles with a melt-in-the-mouth texture.Ĭhow mein and lo mein are usually served with a variety of options. They may vary in cooking method, but there’s not much difference between the actual noodles involved in both chow mein and lo mein.īoth use round noodles made with wheat flour and egg. They can also be set aside to heat up and add later. Lo mein noodles are boiled in broth or water, then stirred or tossed into the rest of the ingredients. Chow mein involves stir-frying your noodles in a frying pan or wok, usually along with protein, veggies, and a tangy soy sauce.

Difference between chop suey and chow mein