The basic process for making excellent, restaurant-style Chow Mein.
It is absolutely true that every shop and restaurant has a slightly different way of making Chow Mein, resulting in variations in taste. Some make it very spicy and pungent, while others prefer the Chinese street-style version that is saucy and sweet-and-sour.
Basic Recipe for Street-Style Chow Mein
You can follow this easy recipe to achieve that authentic shop-style taste at home:
Ingredients: One packet of noodles (Chow Mein), finely chopped onion, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, garlic, and green chilies; soy sauce, green chili sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, salt, black pepper powder, and oil.
Step 1: Boiling the Noodles: First, boil water in a pot. Add a little salt and a spoonful of oil to it. Add the noodles and cook them only until they are 80% done (so they remain separate and not mushy). Immediately drain the water, rinse the noodles with cold water, and toss them with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Sautéing the Vegetables: Heat oil in a large iron wok (kadhai) over high heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and green chilies and sauté for a few seconds. Now, add the vegetables (onion, capsicum, cabbage, and carrot) cut into long strips. Sauté the vegetables over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes so they retain their crunch.
Step 3: Adding Sauces and Spices: Now, add the soy sauce, green chili sauce, vinegar, and tomato ketchup. Note that shops often add Ajinomoto (MSG) to enhance the flavor, though you can skip it for health reasons.
Step 4: Tossing: Finally, add the boiled noodles, salt, and black pepper powder. Keep the heat high and toss the noodles thoroughly using a spatula or tongs in both hands, ensuring the spices and sauces are evenly incorporated.
Tip: Street-style chowmein gets its signature smoky flavor from the use of very high heat and large iron woks. You can achieve this same flavor at home by cooking over high heat.
| Photos captured by | @reetuahlawat |
|---|---|
| Camera Device | POCO M4 Pro Rear Camera 12MP |
| Lens | Default |
| Category | Photography, Flowers, Beauty of Nature |
| Location | India |
| Edited | Captured one |
| Thanks for visiting my post |  |