Crispy Noodle Chow Mein Vegetables (Printer-friendly)
Golden crispy noodles meet vibrant stir-fried vegetables in a savory sauce for a satisfying vegetarian dinner ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Noodles
01 - 7 oz dried chow mein noodles
02 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 3.5 oz snow peas, trimmed
06 - 3.5 oz shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced
07 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1 cup bean sprouts
09 - 2 spring onions, sliced
→ Sauce
10 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
11 - 1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
12 - 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
13 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
14 - 1 tsp sugar
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
17 - 2 tbsp water
18 - 1 tsp cornstarch
→ Garnish
19 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
20 - Fresh coriander leaves
# How To Make It:
01 - Cook the chow mein noodles according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Spread cooked noodles in an even layer. Fry undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until bottom becomes golden and crispy. Flip carefully and crisp the opposite side for 2-3 minutes. Transfer crispy noodles to a plate and set aside.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, water, and cornstarch until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Wipe out the skillet. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over high heat. Add onions and carrots. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until onions begin to soften.
05 - Add bell pepper, mushrooms, and snow peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and vibrant in color.
06 - Pour prepared sauce over vegetables. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats all vegetables evenly.
07 - Add bean sprouts and half the spring onions. Toss gently to combine and heat through for 30 seconds.
08 - Arrange crispy noodles on a serving platter. Top with stir-fried vegetables and thickened sauce. Garnish with remaining spring onions, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh coriander if desired. Serve immediately while noodles remain crispy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between crispy golden noodles and tender vegetables in savory sauce is absolutely addictive
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when takeout feels like too much effort but you want something special
02 -
- Pat those noodles absolutely dry before frying, any moisture will create steam instead of that desired golden crust
- Have all vegetables prepped and sauce mixed before you start cooking because stir-frying moves incredibly fast
- Cornstarch needs to be dissolved in cold liquid before adding to hot food or it will clump up unappetizingly
03 -
- A wok is ideal but a large cast iron skillet works beautifully too, the key is getting it hot enough
- If serving this at a dinner party, cook the noodle cake in advance and reheat while you quickly stir-fry the vegetables for maximum impact