Delicious Sautéed Shrimp tossed in with Stir-Fried Vegetables and Noodles coated in sauce for one seriously delicious Shrimp Chow Mein Dish.

Chow Mein Noodles

There is no real rule here. There are tons of noodle varieties. The common ones used for Chow Mein is Chow Mein Noodles.

Below is a picture of Chow Mein Noodles that are quite popular at T&T Supermarket. This brand is made without eggs.

One of the types that I quite like, not only because it is really cheap but the texture it offers is pleasant too, is Rooster Brand Noodles. These sell for about $1.00 CAD a pack.

Whether you purchase Dry or Fresh Noodles. Steam or Boil the Noodles before stir-frying with them.

Cool them down in cold water. But don’t leave them sitting in water, as they will absorb the water and become too soft. Allow them to air dry.

Chow Mein Vegetables

You can pretty much throw anything in with Chow Mein. Using up vegetables that need to go. Bean Sprouts, Napa Cabbage, and Green Onions, or Chinese Chives are almost always used.

Other vegetables that may be included are

• Carrots
• Peppers
• Onions or Shallots
• Celery
• Mushrooms
• Chinese Cabbage sliced thin (If using this, then boil it until just tender before stir-frying with it.
• Even a coleslaw mix

Chow Mein Sauce

The Standard Chow Mein Sauce is a Mix of Soy Sauce & Oyster or Hoisin Sauce. Usually with a bit of Sesame Oil. Some include Chinese cooking wine and/or a small amount of Broth. Others add in Sriracha Sauce or Chili Oil.

The very basic of them is Soy Chow Mein. Which only uses Soy Sauce (Light, Dark, or both).

Mushroom Chow Mein, which only uses Mushroom Soy Sauce and of course Sautéed Mushrooms included with the Vegetables.

You can also have more sauce or less sauce for a wet or dry chow mein. I prefer the dry chow mein.

Oyster Sauce vs Hoisin Sauce

Oyster sauce is less sweet and saltier than Hoisin Sauce. But is a good substitute with a few changes. If using Oyster sauce, omit adding the Sea Salt, and optionally increase the Sugar. Other than those changes, Oyster Sauce or Hoisin Sauce can be used interchangeably. It’s really a matter of preference.

Chow Mein Variations

Chow Mein can be made with completely different sauces. After all, Chow Mein is just a noodle dish.

The Pad Thai for example is a Chow Mein. In fact, Pad Thai derives from the Chow Mein dish, except in Thailand they commonly use Fish Sauce, Sugar, and Tamarind paste as the sauce, everything else being the same pretty much with a few distinctions. One of the main ones being that they use Rice Noodles instead of Chow Mein Noodles. It’s still a noodle dish.

There is also Chow Mein that is topped with Chop Suey. This is most common with Fried Chow Mein. This is where the noodles are fried in some oil until crisp.

In the end, it’s all still a Noodle based dish that is fairly easy to put together and quite enjoyable.

Seasoning

Sugar, White Pepper, and MSG are common seasonings for the sauce. Additionally, you can season with the Chinese combination of powdered Onion, Garlic, Ginger, White Pepper, and/or a small amount of Chinese 5 Spice powder.

The flavor that you get when ordering it out is the result of Salt, Sugar, and Msg. Just the same for Chop Suey.

One of my favorite additions is to add Magic Sarap or Hondashi. It just elevates the sauce into something that is spectacular.

Sautéed Shrimp

Shrimp cook up really fast, in about 2–3 minutes. We cook with the Shrimp first to flavor the oil in the preparation for Stir-frying the vegetables.

After the Shrimp are just cooked, set them aside. They will continue to cook with the carry-over heat.

Add the Shrimp to the Chow Mein towards the end, along with your Bean Sprouts and Green Onions. Which also cook relatively fast.

How to tell if shrimp is cooked

You are looking for a “C” Shape. This can be a loose or tight “C” shape. If they are curled up into an “O” shape. Chances are they are overcooked. Which results in rubbery shrimp.

Ensure that the shrimp is in a single layer and all are in contact with the Pan. The outside of the shrimp will change to a Pink Color, while the meat will change from grey to Opaque/White and start to curl up.

Thawing Shrimp

Place into a bowl of Cold water and allow to thaw, which only takes a few minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your vegetables, Noodles, and Sauce.

After the Shrimp are thawed, peel them and start rocking that Wok.

Added Flavor for Shrimp Chow Mein

Quick Shrimp Infused Oil

Since we are using both Shrimp and Oil in this dish. An added extra step, yes. But adds more shrimp flavor to the overall dish. This is a quick way of doing it.

Over medium heat with 1/4 C Oil, add the Shrimp Shells to cook for about 10 minutes, mixing often. Remove and discard the Shrimp. They will take quite a bit of oil with them.

This is a quick way to get shrimp-infused oil and can elevate that shrimp flavor throughout the Chow Mein.

Chinese XO Sauce

These can be picked up at your local T&T Market. It adds extra Umami and Seafood flavor to the dish. Just add a bit to the sauce.

Dehydrated Shrimp

These can also be picked up at your local T&T Market and help in upping the Shrimp taste. Dehydrated Shrimp are also used in Pad Thai. Just add some when stir-frying the vegetables.