Panda Express Chow Mein (Better Than the Original!)

My obsession with Panda Express’s Chow Mein began when I was looking for an inexpensive lunch near work. What started as an occasional treat quickly became a twice-weekly habit, seriously cutting into my budget. I knew I had to learn how to make this perfect side dish at home or risk watching my lunch expenses spiral out of control!

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Recreating the authentic taste of Panda Express Chow Mein at home

After watching countless cooking videos and experimenting with different ingredient combinations, I finally had my eureka moment. The secret wasn’t just in the ingredients but in the technique and the specific type of noodles. That first successful batch tasted even better than the restaurant version, and my friends couldn’t believe I’d made it myself. Now, I’m passing this hard-won knowledge on to you so you can enjoy restaurant-quality chow mein without leaving your kitchen.

What Makes This Chow Mein Recipe Special

This copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe stands out because it perfectly recreates the restaurant’s signature balance of flavors and textures. Unlike other versions you might find online, this recipe doesn’t rely on an overly sweet or thick sauce or add ingredients that aren’t in the original.

The magic lies in the authentic combination of oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and the proper cooking technique. When prepared correctly, these noodles have that perfect slightly chewy texture with crispy edges and vegetables that remain fresh and cris, but fresher and more customizable to your taste preferences.

Panda Express Chow Mein Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need to make this chow mein recipe:

• Lo mein or yakisoba noodles – Form the foundation of the dish; provide the characteristic chewy texture with slight springiness due to alkaline elements in the noodles
• Soy sauce – Delivers the primary salty umami flavor base and adds rich amber color to the noodles
• Sugar – Balances the saltiness with a touch of sweetness that helps create the classic flavor profile
• Cooking wine – Adds depth and complexity while helping to tenderize the noodles and vegetables
• Oyster sauce – Contributes a distinct savory richness that’s essential for authentic Chinese flavor; adds slight sweetness and thickness
• Hoisin sauce – Provides a complex sweet-salty bean flavor with aromatic notes that enhance the overall depth
• Fresh garlic – Infuses the dish with aromatic pungency that creates a foundation of flavor
• Fresh ginger – Adds a spicy warmth and distinctive aroma that’s characteristic of Asian cuisine
• Green onions – Contributes mild onion flavor and fresh color as both ingredient and garnish
• Sesame oil – Imparts a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor that’s characteristic of authentic Chinese cooking
• Cooking oil – Creates the high-heat cooking environment needed for proper stir-frying technique
• Napa cabbage – Provides a crisp texture and mild sweetness that absorbs the sauce beautifully
• White onion – Adds aromatic sweetness and slight crunch that enhances the overall texture
• Celery – Cont

Ingredient notes

This dish has a lovely Asian sauce. The ingredients to make the sauce are available at your local grocery store. Any store with a tiny Asian section will have these ingredients. This recipe makes a delicious lo mein sauce you will love in any stir fry recipe.

Two must-have ingredients for chow mein sauce

Two less commonly known ingredients in the chow mein sauce recipe are oyster sauce and hoisin sauce.

• Oyster sauce is a slightly sweeter version of soy sauce, and it does contain oysters. An excellent vegetarian substitute is mushroom-based soy sauce.
• Hoisin sauce is a thick and salty, bean-based sauce. It adds a unique flavor to chow mein, but in a pinch, you can substitute teriyaki sauce.

Both oyster and hoisin sauce are very popular sauces available from major brands like La Choy.

How to make chow mein

Besides the proper ingredients, great chow mein requires knowing how to stir fry correctly. The good news is that you don’t need a wok, but a heavy-bottom pan is necessary. A large cast-iron or steel skillet will help to retain and distribute heat evenly. So, even if you don’t have a wok, use a large, heavy skillet.

The secret to a great stir fry is high heat and not overcrowding the pan unless you want to wind up with steamed noodles. Depending on how much you are cooking and your pan’s size, you may have to stir fry in batches.

Tips for Panda Express noodles

• Use an oil with a high smoke point. Neutral oils such as canola or grapeseed oil are good choices because they won’t impart any unwanted flavors to the dish. You can use slightly less oil if you want, but watch out for sticking.
• Serve it with style. Garnish with sliced scallion and sesame seeds for a restaurant-quality presentation

What to serve with this chow mein Panda Express recipe

Chinese people eat chow mein as an alternative to white rice and not as the main course. While you can make a meal of it, it is nice to have a variety of dishes to enjoy. You can’t go wrong by pairing this dish with other Asian favorites, including:

• Beef and Brocolli
• Firecracker Chicken
• General Tso Chicken
• Mongolian Beef
• Sweet and Sour Chicken

But don’t feel like you can’t serve chow mien with other types of cuisine as well. Have fun and experiment. The following dishes are a good jumping-off point: 

• Baked White Fish
• Fried Chicken
• Popcorn Shrimp

Love Asian food? Try these recipes!

• Copycat PF Changs Lettuce Wraps
• Chinese Spare Ribs Recipes
• Crab Casserole
• Homemade General Tso
• Hunan Crispy Chicken
• Egg Foo Young
• Homemade Tempura Batter
• Chicken Katsu
• Chinese Sweet Donut
• Chinese Buffet Cookies

Most Popular Panda Express Copycat Recipes

• Honey and Walnut Shrimp
• Broccoli Beef Recipe
• Cheese Rangoon Recipe

Be sure to take a look at more of my easy recipes for Chinese food and the best copycat fast food recipes.

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Ingredient Substitutions

• Noodle alternatives: If you absolutely cannot find lo mein or yakisoba noodles, try thin wheat noodles labeled as “Chinese egg noodles” or even ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet).
• Cabbage options: Regular green cabbage can replace napa cabbage, though the texture will be slightly different.
• Vegetarian adaptation: Use vegetarian oyster sauce (usually mushroom-based) to make this dish completely vegetarian.
• Cooking wine substitutes: Dry sherry makes an excellent substitute for Chinese cooking wine. For a non-alcoholic option, try using broth with a splash of rice vinegar.
• Oil options: Any high smoke point oil works well—canola, vegetable, peanut, or even avocado oil.

Protein Additions

Transform this side dish into a complete meal by adding:

• Chicken: Thinly sliced chicken breast, stir-fried first and set aside before adding back with the noodles
• Beef: Thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin, marinated briefly in soy sauce and cornstarch
• Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, added just before the noodles as they cook quickly
• Tofu: Extra-firm tofu, pressed, cubed, and pan-fried separately before adding to the dish

Vegetable Variations

Feel free to incorporate additional vegetables such as:

• Shredded carrots for color and sweetness
• Bean sprouts for extra crunch
• Thinly sliced bell peppers for color and flavor
• Snow peas or snap peas for fresh sweetness
• Broccoli florets blanched slightly before adding to the stir-fry

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigeration

• Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
• Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• Separate storage: If making ahead, consider storing the sauce separately from the cooked noodles and vegetables to prevent sogginess.

Freezing (Not Recommended)

Freezing is not recommended for homemade chow mein as the texture of the vegetables and noodles significantly deteriorates upon thawing.

Reheating Methods

• Stovetop (best method): Reheat in a hot skillet or wok with a small amount of oil, tossing frequently until heated through. This restores some of the original texture.
• Microwave: For convenience, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a sprinkle of water if the noodles seem dry.
• Revitalizing tip: When reheating, add a small drizzle of soy sauce and sesame oil, along with some fresh green onions, to refresh the flavors.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Making Panda Express Chow Mein at home allows you to customize your favorite side dish exactly how you like it. Want it a little spicier? Add some red pepper flakes. Prefer more vegetables? Double them up! The possibilities are endless.

Beyond customization, homemade chow mein tastes fresher and more vibrant than takeout. The vegetables maintain their crispness and color, and you can adjust the sauce to your preference. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating restaurant-quality Chinese food in your kitchen.

Best of all, this recipe is remarkably economical. What costs $3-4 as a side dish at Panda Express can feed a family of four for roughly the same price when made at home. Master this recipe, and you’ll have an impressive, versatile dish that works as both a side and a main course in your cooking repertoire.