Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

Introduction

This copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe brings the delicious flavors of the famous takeout dish right to your kitchen. With simple ingredients and a quick stir-fry method, you’ll enjoy tender noodles and crisp vegetables coated in a savory sauce.

Ingredients

• 3 (5.6-oz.) packages fresh yakisoba noodles or 1 lb. dried wheat noodles
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. white or black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
• 1/2 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
• 4 large celery stalks, sliced on an angle (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1 Tbsp. minced or grated fresh ginger

Instructions

1. Step 1: Fill a wok or large, high-sided skillet with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add noodles and cook just until loosened, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, pepper, sugar, and oyster sauce until well combined.
3. Step 3: Heat the wok over high heat until completely dry. Add vegetable or canola oil. Once the oil begins to smoke, add cabbage, celery, and onions. Stir-fry, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are slightly softened and wilted, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Add the drained noodles to the wok. Using tongs, toss everything until the noodles and vegetables are fully combined.
5. Step 5: Give the sauce a quick whisk to recombine, then pour it into the wok. Toss gently until the noodles are completely coated in the sauce, being careful not to break them into small pieces.

Tips & Variations

• For extra protein, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu when adding the noodles.
• Use fresh yakisoba noodles for the best texture, but dried wheat noodles work well as a substitute.
• Adjust the sauce ingredients to taste, adding more sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tang.
• If you don’t have oyster sauce, substitute with hoisin sauce or additional soy sauce for a vegetarian version.

Storage

Store leftover chow mein in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or soy sauce to keep the noodles moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of noodles for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other wheat-based noodles like lo mein noodles or spaghetti in a pinch, but yakisoba or wheat noodles provide the most authentic texture.

How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?

Cook the noodles just until loosened, drain well, and toss with a small amount of oil if you’re not adding them immediately. Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking them.

Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein Recipe

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4.9 from 106 reviews

This Copycat Panda Express Chow Mein recipe recreates the flavorful and classic Chinese-American stir-fried noodle dish featuring soft wheat noodles tossed with crunchy cabbage, celery, onions, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce made from soy, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a quick and satisfying homemade meal.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Noodles and Sauce

• 3 (5.6-oz.) packages fresh yakisoba noodles or 1 lb. dried wheat noodles
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. white or black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1/2 small head green cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
• 4 large celery stalks, sliced on an angle (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 medium white onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1 Tbsp. minced or grated fresh ginger

Instructions

1. Boil Noodles: Fill a wok or large, high-sided skillet with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the yakisoba or wheat noodles and cook for about 2 minutes, just until loosened and pliable. Drain the noodles thoroughly and set them aside, ready for stir-frying.
2. Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the reduced-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, pepper, granulated sugar, and oyster sauce until well combined. This mixture will give the chow mein its signature balanced flavor.
3. Stir-Fry Vegetables: Heat the wok on high heat and make sure it is completely dry before adding the vegetable or canola oil. Once the oil begins to smoke slightly, add the sliced cabbage, celery, and diced onions. Stir-fry while frequently mixing to ensure even cooking until the vegetables have softened just a bit and begin to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger and cook for about 1 minute more until fragrant but not burnt.
4. Toss Noodles: Add the cooked noodles back into the wok with the vegetables. Using tongs, toss the mixture thoroughly so the noodles are evenly combined and heated through with the veggies.
5. Add Sauce and Combine: Give the prepared sauce a quick whisk, then pour it evenly over the noodle and vegetable mixture in the wok. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the noodles with the sauce, taking care not to break the noodles into small pieces. Cook just until everything is heated through and well combined.

Notes

• Use fresh yakisoba noodles if available for the closest texture to Panda Express. Dried wheat noodles can be used but may need slightly longer boiling.
• Make sure the wok or skillet is very hot before adding oil to achieve a good sear on the vegetables and prevent sogginess.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more soy sauce or sugar as desired; this will customize sweetness and saltiness.
• For added protein, stir-fry cooked chicken, beef, or shrimp separately and toss in at the final step.
• Serve immediately for best texture; leftovers may become soggy.

Keywords: Panda Express chow mein copycat, Chinese stir-fried noodles, yakisoba noodles recipe, easy chow mein, Asian vegetable noodles