Is there a difference between the grocery store package of chow mein noodles and the package of lo mein noodles?

I'm looking at making a recipe that calls for lo mein noodles. All I can find in the grocery store are chow mein noodles. Is there a difference between these two types of noodles? I am referring specifically to the packaged ingredient, not a dish.

Best Answer

It becomes quite confusing when talking about the difference between chow mein and lo mein mainly due to the error in translation.

In Chinese chow mein literally translate as "fried noodles." However when buying chow mein at a chinese restaurant, you get vegetables with a side of deep fried noodles. Somehow the title of a dish is referring the to side rather than the main dish which leads to much confusion.

When talking about chow mein at a grocery store, it also gets confusing because you can get two types of noodles. The first kind is a fried noodle that looks something like this:

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This is definitely not what your recipe is referring to. The second type of chow mein you will find is very much similar to lo mein. It should be a raw noodles that is still semi-soft. It should look like this:

enter image description here

If the chow mein you have at your grocery store resembles the second type of noodle, then you may use that as a substitute. If it resembles the first type, don't. The first type is used as a topping sort of like chinese croutons.

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What is the difference between chow mein noodles and lo mein noodles?

Chow mein noodles are soaked in hot water to soften them up before stir-frying. The process of stir-frying fully cooks the noodles along with the remaining ingredients. In contrast, lo mein noodles are completely cooked before getting mixed in with the meat, vegetables and sauce.

Can I use chow mein noodles for lo mein?

What Type of Noodles Are Used in Each Dish? Both lo mein and chow mein are made with Chinese egg noodles\u2014wheat flour noodles with egg added. Fresh egg noodles (preferably about 1/4-inch thick) are best for lo mein, while either fresh or dried can be used to make chow mein.

Is chow mein different from lo mein?

\u201cLo mein usually uses the fat, chewy noodles, while chow mein uses the thin type of noodles that sometimes contain egg.\u201d Lo mein uses fresh noodles that are boiled for a few minutes, while chow mein uses dried noodles that are parboiled for five to six minutes. Then there's the difference in cooking method.

Are chow mein stir fry noodles the same as ramen?

The main difference in the eating experience is the texture of the noodles themselves. While they are the same thickness, ramen noodles have a more slippery texture and are white, whereas Chow Mein noodles are yellow. But there's no difference in the flavour of the noodles!

You Should Never Order Lo Mein At A Chinese Restaurant. Here's Why

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Images: Laura James, Leah Kelley, RF._.studio, Laura James