Is Chow Mein Vegetarian? Let's Find Out

Chow Mein is a delicious dish. Is chow mein vegetarian? Let's find out!

Is Chow Mein Vegetarian?

Chow Mein is quite flexible. Traditional chow mein is generally not vegetarian, but it can be made vegetarian.

The main ingredient is noodles, which are usually made from wheat flour. When cooking, you can add some vegetables such as green vegetables, bean sprouts, carrots, onions, etc. Season with oil, soy sauce, and seasonings, and finally stir-fry quickly. This combination fully meets the requirements of a vegetarian diet, being nutritious and delicious.

However, in many places, non-vegetarian ingredients are added to chow mein. For example, some chow mein recipes use chicken, pork, shrimp, or beef to enhance the flavor, and in this case, chow mein is no longer vegetarian. Also, some chow mein uses animal fats or seafood sauces. Vegetarians should be careful not to add these ingredients.

Can Vegetarians Eat Chow Mein?

Vegetarians can eat chow mein, but they need to pay attention to the following points:

Most chow mein uses regular wheat noodles, but some contain eggs (such as egg noodles and pasta). Strict vegetarians (Vegans) need to choose noodles without eggs, such as all-plant wheat noodles, rice noodles, or buckwheat noodles.

At the same time, traditional chow mein is often served with chicken, beef, pork, seafood, eggs, etc. If you are a strict vegetarian, you need to avoid these ingredients when ordering or cooking. Try to choose to make vegetarian chow mein with ingredients like green peppers, onions, carrots, bean sprouts, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, and tofu.

In addition, pay attention to the seasonings used in chow mein. Soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, chicken broth, etc. Among them, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and chicken broth are not suitable for vegetarians. If you are a strict vegetarian, you can choose vegetarian oyster sauce (mushroom oyster sauce), pure soy sauce, sesame oil, and vegetarian sauces for seasoning.

What Is Chow Mein Sauce Made Of?

The sauce is crucial when making chow mein. Chow mein sauce is usually made by mixing various seasonings. The sauce varies in different regions, and the basic ingredients include soy sauce, oyster sauce, sweet bean sauce, broad bean paste, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, etc. You can adjust the proportion according to personal taste to create different flavors.

Some sauces use sweet bean sauce, broad bean paste, soy bean paste, etc. These sauces can enhance the richness and aroma of the sauce. For example, the sauce made from sweet bean sauce and soy bean paste has a strong flavor and is especially suitable for pairing with various vegetables and meats.

Authentic Vegetable Chow Mein Recipe

Ingredients

Vegetables (cabbage, carrots, celery, red peppers, mushrooms, scallions): Adds crispness and nutrition.

Fresh ginger and garlic: Brings a spicy flavor and makes the dish fragrant.

Vegetable oil: Used to stir-fry the ingredients in chow mein.

Noodles: The main part, absorbs flavors and makes the dish more filling.

Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce.

Soy sauce, oyster sauce: Adds saltiness and umami.

Vegetable broth or meat broth: Makes the sauce delicious.

Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the saltiness.

Sesame oil: Gives the sauce a nutty flavor.

Freshly ground pepper and optional roasted sesame seeds: For seasoning and decoration.

Steps

Prepare the vegetables: Slice or chop all the vegetables.

Prepare the sauce: Put all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, stir well, and set aside.

Cook the noodles: Put the noodles in boiling water and cook until they are 80% done. Then drain and rinse with cold water.

Stir-fry the vegetables: Heat oil in a pan. First, add onions, garlic, and ginger. Then, stir-fry the vegetables first, and then add the noodles and sauce.

Stir, decorate, and enjoy! Mix all the ingredients well, decorate the chow mein as you like, and then it's ready to serve.

Can Vegetarians Eat Chicken Flavored Noodles?

If it's purely chicken flavor (without animal ingredients) - Some vegetarians can accept it. This is because some instant noodles or seasoning packets use artificially synthesized chicken flavorings or plant-based seasonings, just imitating the taste of chicken without actual meat ingredients.

If it contains chicken ingredients - Strict vegetarians (such as vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians) generally won't eat it. Many seasonings for chicken-flavored noodles may contain chicken extract, chicken oil, or soup base made from chicken bones, which do not meet the eating habits of vegetarians.

How to Judge?

Check the ingredient list: If it says "chicken powder", "chicken oil", "chicken bone extract", etc., it's not suitable for vegetarians.

Look for vegetarian labels: If the package is labeled "Vegan" or "Vegetarian Friendly", it's usually edible.

What Can I Use Instead of Oyster Sauce in Chow Mein?

Soy Sauce

Umami is the main characteristic of oyster sauce. Try replacing it with a small amount of soy sauce and adding a small amount of brown sugar to make an oyster sauce substitute.

Sweet Soy Sauce

Following the above logic, this traditional Indonesian soy sauce is a suitable substitute for oyster sauce. It has a strong umami and sweet taste.

Seafood Sauce

Seafood sauce has an equal balance of sweetness and saltiness. It is one of the best substitutes for oyster sauce.

Soy Sauce and Seafood Sauce

If you have these two seasonings, mix soy sauce and seafood sauce in a 1:1 ratio.

Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a close relative of oyster sauce. It has a sweeter and stronger flavor, which means it has a slightly weaker umami (and you may need to add a little more salt to your recipe).

Worcestershire Sauce

This common fermented sauce has a strong umami flavor. It is made from molasses and anchovies, so it has a sweet, salty, and fishy taste and can be used to replace oyster sauce.